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pdlouche
I'm am not sure why people above think I am a cynic. I am a cynic about one thing though. Some one post something and those that read it make assumptions and then dismiss. That's a general trend and means the conversations become circular and preach to the converted.
I am fully aware of what needs to be done with regards to climmate change. My background is physics. Climate change is well worn physics going back decades.
The public change behaviours if practical alternatives that are easy and no more expensive than what they have become available. Turkey's don't vote for Christmas. Much of the climate change debate is about giving something up. The left and green movement while all well meaning is a disorganised rabble all making noise but not real changing anything. So many voices saying the same thing yet managing to disagree with one another at the same time.
I am the effing converted and when I listen to whats being said by the protesters it turns me off. Imaging what it's doing to those who are not converted.
Not cynasim from me just the harsh reality the message needs work.
With regards to the above post I agree up until the point you said they change minds. Few people change there minds any more. Most people don't care or have opinions strong enough to change there minds. Most folk just want to get on with there lives and not have to think about this sort of thing. Protests that hope to open eyes and protesting in vain as most people's concerns are not connected to the future they are practical one like paying next month's bills.
If the green movement started to focus say on changing building regs to limit the amount of co2 emitted per square foot of floor space in construction and use that would be meaningful change. If the green movement would focus on getting transport policy in the u.k to offer alternatives to driving a car that would be great. I live in the shires and the blunt truth is you have to made keen on cycling to not use a car much here. I am mad keen but bluntly few people are. I can't even get a bus to work and back that does not cost me £8 per day and the last bus leave before my shop closes. I still have a 20 minute walk home from the bus station. Quicker to ride.
So the protest may be well meaning but it is all warm words. Most people don't vote for warm words. If the movement had practical goals both short term and long term beyond being carbon neutral by 2025 then you might find me less critical. I am not even sure if being carbon neutral is a goal. Its warm words because it can be achieved in so many ways.
In general poltics at the moment is full of warm words and promises without any clear idea of how to achieve them.
Flaming people who you disagree with is also counterproductive. These are the people you have to convince and your not good job with me and I am convinced.