Global Climate Strike

[Toodles McGinty]

I'm amazed and heartened by today's action. From USA to Australia, from Scandinavia to South Africa, and most points in between.

I'm most impressed by the kids actually getting out there are standing up for something. Whether you acknowledge the causes of climate change or not, it's good to see kids engaging politically.

I know things can't change overnight, and it's a whole lot more complex than rinsing your beans tin out, when the superpowers are doing little or ignoring it completely. But to see literally millions of people making their voices heard is very moving. And hopeful.

Some cracking placards too.

[Lamparilla]

It's great to see, and shameful that corporate interests dictate the lives of so many people.

Yes, some great posters and placards - my favourite was the girl who had a sign saying:

"THE PLANET IS HOTTER THAN MY IMAGINARY BOYFRIEND"

[Toodles McGinty]

I liked 'Grandpa, what's a snowman?'

Although my favourite is the standard 'F-Climate Change', on account of it works for everything. Fracking, Boris Johnson, verrucas, BMW drivers, you name it.

I'm amazed that virtually every part of the world is joining in.

[seivad]

The grumpy deregulating climate change denying old white men, will never have to live in a world that could be irreparably damaged by their denial. Young people will.

Watching Greta Thunberg address the US Congress this week was inspiring. A wee slip of a girl, quietly speaking the truths that many in the US won't acknowledge. How any one of them could fail to be moved by her heartfelt plea is beyond me. I certainly was.

[Lamparilla]

Going off at a tangent, I recently sent a Freedom Of Information request to Sefton MBC, asking what their current provision of electric car charging points was, and what were their targets for the next 5 years, given that central government is providing grants to local authorities for just this purpose.

The reply I received makes very disappointing reading! To summarise:

2 charging points at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre

An unspecified number at Meadows Leisure Centre (Maghull)

Charging points at 'some' council run buildings, but not accessible to the public

No on-street charging points, and no application made for a grant. Apparently, there are 'significant challenges' in maintaining these facilities, 'particularly given the nature of some of Sefton's streets' (whatever that means).

Nothing in Southport (my inference)

No target in place although they are 'committed to increasing the number of off-street charging points'.

[local]

Why not have these protests on a Saturday ?

More attending including children dragging their parents along and the children don't have their education affected.

Still its heartening to see Sefton has embraced the electric car and the 500 car queue at Crosby Lakesides will be a sport in its own right.

[salus.populi]

Why not have these protests on a Saturday ?

Yes I often find that going on strike on my day off has maximum impact.

[local]

Yes I often find that going on strike on my day off has maximum impact.

I don't know whether you have noticed but they are not on strike, the only thing they are withdrawing from is their own education, nobody loses but them.

That doesn't put much pressure on anyone except them.

[Alikado]

Going off at a tangent, I recently sent a Freedom Of Information request to Sefton MBC, asking what their current provision of electric car charging points was, and what were their targets for the next 5 years, given that central government is providing grants to local authorities for just this purpose.

The reply I received makes very disappointing reading! To summarise:

2 charging points at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre

An unspecified number at Meadows Leisure Centre (Maghull)

Charging points at 'some' council run buildings, but not accessible to the public

No on-street charging points, and no application made for a grant. Apparently, there are 'significant challenges' in maintaining these facilities, 'particularly given the nature of some of Sefton's streets' (whatever that means).

Nothing in Southport (my inference)

No target in place although they are 'committed to increasing the number of off-street charging points'.

The provision of charging points is a bit problematic, sticking the odd one or two here and there may be done quite easily, sticking a couple of dozen on a car park could lead to a substation needing an upgrade or a new one being built, sticking a couple of hundred on a car park or such could lead to installing a new feed from a powerstation, they are quite high powered.

[joan ofarc]

The provision of charging points is a bit problematic, sticking the odd one or two here and there may be done quite easily, sticking a couple of dozen on a car park could lead to a substation needing an upgrade or a new one being built, sticking a couple of hundred on a car park or such could lead to installing a new feed from a powerstation, they are quite high powered.

They better get on with it then. It's not like this has taken them by surprise.

[thediscovolante]

this girl has not even completed her education due to her "vunerable condition"...children are bombarded with climate change brainwashing....the result of which will prevent you and me of flying...take your car from you ,,and tax you to death on your gas boiler and elecric use......she is a brainwashed vunerable child...if you are really serious about the climate...stop the de forestation of the amazon and asia....and stop buying any hardwood products...furniture etc....they can only come from ancient jungle

[Alikado]

They better get on with it then. It's not like this has taken them by surprise.

If everybody 'got on with it' we would need new power stations as well.

[local]

Greta is an unlikely figurehead with Asperger syndrome, obsessive–compulsive disorder and selective mutism.

I think it might be fairer to consider the girls long term welfare and choose someone else to head the movement or at least share it when she needs a rest.

Having a clean world where more care is taken with it is a reasonable aspiration for anyone.

The latest faux green push for electric cars is not driven by anything other than financial opportunism from the vehicle manufacturers.

Cleaning up what we already have would be a far better and cheaper start.

[joan ofarc]

If everybody 'got on with it' we would need new power stations as well.

Then build them.
Hydro-electric power is an old technology and there are other newer ones. let's get on with it!

[Alikado]

Then build them.
Hydro-electric power is an old technology and there are other newer ones. let's get on with it!

Large scale systems are too ambitious and costly, smaller systems like the smaller wind farms could easily be installed where there is a flow in streams, rivers, sewers etc.