I really don't understand what these people want. Every morsel of food that goes into their mouths, every stitch of clothing on their bodies, every object they touch in their daily lives, every byte of data that goes to and from their computers does so because of fossil fuels. The climate has changed since the earth was formed. Without fossil fuels they and we will starve to death in the freezing darkness. What is their answer to that?
Nobody likes these people because their core message is always "Screw you, this is what we want and that's all that counts!" The richest ones post signs on their lawns professing love and support for people who can't afford to live near them or go to their schools.
Even better, treat the ten as abortion protesters were treated years ago. Charge massive fines that were actually collected and jail time. Arrogant, undemocratic snobs can choose to ignore that Thoreau protested from jail, acknowledging that civil society and democracy have rules and rights.
I have no patience for these protesters. They should be hit with large fines, as well as the cost of the police response, and then jail time if they continue these tactics. However, I doubt the courts would step up and do their job.
I happen to believe we need to address the issue of climate change in some fashion, but these protesters are unintentionally hilarious in their tactical cluelessness.
Isn't it amazingly neat how the people who virtue signal the loudest about the horrors of climate change, and who constantly tell the rest of us that we're going to have to make some changes in order to save the world, are in fact the assholes who are the driving force behind climate change?
"The richest one percent of the world’s population are responsible for more than twice as much carbon pollution as the 3.1 billion people who made up the poorest half of humanity during a critical 25-year period of unprecedented emissions growth.
"Oxfam’s new report, ‘Confronting Carbon Inequality,’ is based on research conducted with the Stockholm Environment Institute and is being released as world leaders prepare to meet at the UN General Assembly to discuss global challenges including the climate crisis.
"The report assesses the consumption emissions of different income groups between 1990 and 2015 – 25 years when humanity doubled the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It found:
"The richest 10 percent accounted for over half (52 percent) of the emissions added to the atmosphere between 1990 and 2015. The richest one percent were responsible for 15 percent of emissions during this time – more than all the citizens of the EU and more than twice that of the poorest half of humanity (7 percent).
"During this time, the richest 10 percent blew one third of our remaining global 1.5C carbon budget, compared to just 4 percent for the poorest half of the population. The carbon budget is the amount of carbon dioxide that can be added to the atmosphere without causing global temperatures to rise above 1.5C – the goal set by governments in the Paris Agreement to avoid the very worst impacts of uncontrolled climate change.
"Annual emissions grew by 60 percent between 1990 and 2015. The richest 5 percent were responsible for over a third (37 percent) of this growth. The total increase in emissions of the richest one percent was three times more than that of the poorest 50 percent."
Call me paranoid but climate change just seems like another mechanism of control aimed at the mass of non-elites. Guilt ridden mechanisms of control seem to be back in fashion these days.
If these people want to do something useful with their life they should form a cult dedicated to Elon Musk. It can't be denied that one Elon Musk has done literally multiple trillions times more for the environment than all climate activists put together.
I admire these folks for putting their bodies on the line for what they believe in, but I am appalled by their naivete. There is no effective Left left in this country. Climate change is happening, and it will bring famine, disruption and death. It is already too late to stop it and we are still not doing enough to mitigate the worst effects that are coming.
This comical video only reminds me how hopeless things are.
MATT: I have to say I'm a little surprised that so few of your readers have any sympathy for climate change protesters, because they don't fear climate change. Is that your position?
I really don't understand what these people want. Every morsel of food that goes into their mouths, every stitch of clothing on their bodies, every object they touch in their daily lives, every byte of data that goes to and from their computers does so because of fossil fuels. The climate has changed since the earth was formed. Without fossil fuels they and we will starve to death in the freezing darkness. What is their answer to that?
"We need to listen to the scientists. We need to listen to the indigenous people."
Brilliant. Just brilliant. Do people still say LARP?
I appreciate these videos, and they are very well done, but this DC-style community theater doesn't engage me.
Climate change activism has absolutely nothing to do with science. It's a religious exercise.
If only these Earth-hating, climate-killing, industrial combustion users had ridden bicycles to the protest.
Then their irresponsible CO2 emitting mode of transportation would not have broken down and they would not have been fined.
Oh the humanity.
Nobody likes these people because their core message is always "Screw you, this is what we want and that's all that counts!" The richest ones post signs on their lawns professing love and support for people who can't afford to live near them or go to their schools.
Block the road and you deserve to get your bitch ass run over. End of story.
Even better, treat the ten as abortion protesters were treated years ago. Charge massive fines that were actually collected and jail time. Arrogant, undemocratic snobs can choose to ignore that Thoreau protested from jail, acknowledging that civil society and democracy have rules and rights.
I have no patience for these protesters. They should be hit with large fines, as well as the cost of the police response, and then jail time if they continue these tactics. However, I doubt the courts would step up and do their job.
I happen to believe we need to address the issue of climate change in some fashion, but these protesters are unintentionally hilarious in their tactical cluelessness.
Isn't it amazingly neat how the people who virtue signal the loudest about the horrors of climate change, and who constantly tell the rest of us that we're going to have to make some changes in order to save the world, are in fact the assholes who are the driving force behind climate change?
https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/carbon-emissions-richest-1-percent-more-double-emissions-poorest-half-humanity
"The richest one percent of the world’s population are responsible for more than twice as much carbon pollution as the 3.1 billion people who made up the poorest half of humanity during a critical 25-year period of unprecedented emissions growth.
"Oxfam’s new report, ‘Confronting Carbon Inequality,’ is based on research conducted with the Stockholm Environment Institute and is being released as world leaders prepare to meet at the UN General Assembly to discuss global challenges including the climate crisis.
"The report assesses the consumption emissions of different income groups between 1990 and 2015 – 25 years when humanity doubled the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It found:
"The richest 10 percent accounted for over half (52 percent) of the emissions added to the atmosphere between 1990 and 2015. The richest one percent were responsible for 15 percent of emissions during this time – more than all the citizens of the EU and more than twice that of the poorest half of humanity (7 percent).
"During this time, the richest 10 percent blew one third of our remaining global 1.5C carbon budget, compared to just 4 percent for the poorest half of the population. The carbon budget is the amount of carbon dioxide that can be added to the atmosphere without causing global temperatures to rise above 1.5C – the goal set by governments in the Paris Agreement to avoid the very worst impacts of uncontrolled climate change.
"Annual emissions grew by 60 percent between 1990 and 2015. The richest 5 percent were responsible for over a third (37 percent) of this growth. The total increase in emissions of the richest one percent was three times more than that of the poorest 50 percent."
Call me paranoid but climate change just seems like another mechanism of control aimed at the mass of non-elites. Guilt ridden mechanisms of control seem to be back in fashion these days.
If they ever really left, that is.
You aren't protesting when you are that few in number, you are attention whoring.
If these people want to do something useful with their life they should form a cult dedicated to Elon Musk. It can't be denied that one Elon Musk has done literally multiple trillions times more for the environment than all climate activists put together.
If you are wondering what happened to all the people who abandoned religion - look no further. Global Warming apocalyptic beliefs have all the pieces.
If they only these Earth-hating, climate-killing, industrial combustion users had ridden bicycles to the protest.
Then their irresponsible CO2 emitting mode of transportation would not have broken down and they would not have been fined.
Oh the humanity.
I admire these folks for putting their bodies on the line for what they believe in, but I am appalled by their naivete. There is no effective Left left in this country. Climate change is happening, and it will bring famine, disruption and death. It is already too late to stop it and we are still not doing enough to mitigate the worst effects that are coming.
This comical video only reminds me how hopeless things are.
MATT: I have to say I'm a little surprised that so few of your readers have any sympathy for climate change protesters, because they don't fear climate change. Is that your position?