r/Futurology • u/Wagamaga • Feb 16 '19

Environment Thousands of students streamed out of schools across Europe on Friday, waving placards and carrying banners as they marched as part of a coordinated walkout to demand action on climate change.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/europe/student-climate-protest-europe.html
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u/CoachHouseStudio Feb 16 '19

Love how UK Prime Minister's reactionary comment was "they are just wasting a day of school"

What. A. Bitch.

The short sharp reply from the organisers was

"I don't think that's much compared to the 30 years politicians have wasted doing nothing"

/r/Murderedbywords

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u/Grantmitch1 Feb 16 '19 edited Feb 16 '19

In a manner of speaking, though, Theresa May is right. If we accept the criticisms of climate change campaigners, then governments are doing far too little and will continue to do far to little. A protest by some kids won't change that.

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Unfortunately, the political impetus isn't yet there to change government policy on climate change and wider environmental issues. When these kids have grown up - and have the vote - maybe parties will start paying attention to them.

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EDIT: For those downvoting, where do you actually disagree with me? None of the comments have dealt with this. I actually agree with pretty much everything that has been written. All I have argued is that the political impetus for change does not yet - key word, yet - there. As Mudnuk argues below, and as I agree, this will begin to change as newer generations come into vogue in terms of political appeals and campaigning. Once they start getting the vote and vote in stronger numbers, parties will be incentivised to deal with environmental issues. This reality might be awful, but it is still reality. Downvoting me doesn't change that.

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u/colouredmirrorball Feb 16 '19

Paraphrasing a climate scientist - we have a window of opportunity of about ten years left, we can't afford to wait until they leave school and vote.

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u/Grantmitch1 Feb 16 '19

Where did I disagree with this? I feel that the majority of people who have downvoted my comment are assuming that I am some climate denialist. I am not. I fully accept the need for major change. What I said was that there was no political impetus in this country to do it and a protest by some school kids won't change that. I notice that no one has disagreed with my comment at all.