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Kiwi schoolkids strike for climate

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By Marty MELVILLE

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No big deal. To (very) loosely paraphrase Churchill, 'if you're not an activist by the time you're 20 you've got no heart, if you're still an activist by the time you're 40 you're a moron' (or something like that).

I don't think they're being manipulated tbh. Like these kids i went to my first demonstration when i was 14 (& last when i was 18) & thought i/we could change the world, didn't care/listen to adults (skipping school an added bonus, obviously). That's what kids do.

I'd take a (perhaps) slightly deluded/naive 12-15 kid into environmental issues over a teen who doesnt give a -- about our planet and think climate change is a hoax (and wears a MAGA cap!!).

I think our role as so called adults is perhaps to ask them "what do you propose'? or even better, 'are you ready to do this/that?'...

Do it on the weekend, have the same turnout and then let us speak about it again. Won’t happen.

Nah, footy's on. Mitre 10 (welly's playing) and 3 wc games. Gotta love kiwi kids! :)

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Kids are alarmed because adults with political agendas are making them alarmed. It’s basically child abuse.

Gotta have it on a weekday so kids can skip school and be used as media props.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Is any of you under 70 years old and actually care how the planet will look in 25 years ?

Yeah, I am very concerned about how our planet will be, but not because of CO2 or climate. I am not concerned by CO2.

bonus point : is any of you a scientist ? or someone with a higher education degree relevant to the matter ?

Yes, I am a scientist, and I am currently writing a grant proposal that will relate my research to reducing CO2 (really!). It's not the main purpose of my research, but I know it sells...

4 ( +7 / -3 )

'The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary'.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

I could take these protests more seriously IF they gave up a day of their weekend to protest. Doing it on a school day seems insincere, like they maybe just wanted a day off.... or their teachers did....

Poor kids, being whipped into a frenzy, a hysteria about climate that has no basis in reality. I have heard too many interviews with youngsters who actually think the world will burn in 10 years, that life will end before they get to university. They are being fed alarmist garbage from their teachers and the media. You only have to look at the actual behavior of the leading climate hysterics to see whether or not they actually believe what they are peddling. Sea levels rising? Better tell Barack Obama- he just dropped $15 MILLION on a coastal mansion!

As to the merits, NZ has little to fear. Like most developed countries it has a very good waste disposal and recyling system. The problem areas are developing and third world nations like China and India. They produce huge amounts of waste compared to NZ. Howabout going THERE and protesting?

3 ( +11 / -8 )

My old boss said it best “you are not allowed to bring me a problem until you also have at least 2 solutions”. And those were reasonable solutions not spending 32 trillion we don’t have.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Using kids for cheap political gain? Haven’t we seen all this before? Somewhere, beyond the rainbow.

Yeah! 16 year old kids always listen to everything their parents say, and literally do not know how to think for themselves until their brain has a spontaneous evolution on their 18th birthday (20th in Japan), enabling them to think for themselves, instead of the automatrons they are until that day.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

There needs to be a middle ground between...

Why? That requires thinking. Much easier to lump all liberals together as a particular type of idiot, and all conservatives together as a slightly different type of idiot.

The ongoing battle between the US right and science continues.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Seeing how you're framing the discussion, I'll be backing off the conversation, although certainly not the claim. If you'd like to interpret the small number of crazies who get put on your TV or newsfeed in order to drum up ratings as representative of how many millions of people actually act and think, then I don't think there's any point in spending more time on this one.

Have an excellent evening and weekend nonetheless!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@raw beer

Thanks for answering. So what are you more concerned about ? and why you don't think CO2 and climate change are a problem ? this is very interesting to me...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Raw Beer

I see... but this is a common misconception: climate has never ever changed that quickly... even when there were major events, it took thousands of years to change as much as in the last 150 years and it’s even getting quicker now. Oceans are acidifying because they absorb most of the CO2... then oxygen is depleted... algae won't be able to take care of all of it, it still holds for now but not for long.

I think you should pray I won't be reviewing your kakenhi...

now for the second point “I think some people are getting very rich (richer) with this climate change hysteria.”

This is so ridiculous… look at top 20 richest companies in the world: Exxon is 12, Shell 18… i'm sure Total, BP are not far after. Where are the solar panel companies or wind turbines?? The rich are definitely on the  side of Co2, pollution and status quo !

3 ( +4 / -1 )

That is a non-sequitur. - true, but science says there is a climate change and the ones putting money and effort to denigrate it are the richest companies and countries in the world... and apparently it works because you believe them. On the other hand, it's emerging companies without back up or money, a market in which Exxon or Shell could easily jump with all their capital, but they don't because it doesn't make enough money... The main thing supporting all this are not companies, it's science. And science is science, it's not religion or taste... it's facts, and facts are we are f*** up big time, and that you believe it or not won't change anything to the fact we are changing the climate. The question is when will you finally see/admit it, kids understood already...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

.

@Ricki Kaminski

You got it!

These kids are products of cultural and education systems that program their brains on global ideology that they regurgitate .

.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Strangerland* indeed. Even those in their 20s should keep a lid on it. In their defense though, they simply don’t know that they don’t know. It’s sort of Kawai. It’s their idiot teachers encouraging them that need to be addressed. New Zealand quickly becoming the poster child of virtue signaling and low resolution thinking. Hot air of little substance.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

They interviewed the teachers of "climate strike" held in Australia last week they all admitted the kids wouldn't have shown up if it was held on a weekend or the school holidays - well guess what the last day of the term before New Zealand school holidays starts is September 27 - confirms the kids just want early start to their holidays and pushed into this by their teachers pushing an agenda.

Preach brother! Let the world know these kids only wanted a day off school. There is no such thing as a kid worried for their future! What are you people thinking!

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Those who dismiss them because of their age will have to tell us when they personally started to have a political conscience.

In a lot of countries, the right to vote is at 18. How are you supposed to use this right if you don't get educated on the subject before ?

The age argument is utter rubbish.

And the "brainwashing" argument is no more than a complaint that kids will listen to scientists rather than Fox News pundits. Ridiculous.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The news"? Like the globalist corporate media like CNN et al?

Yawn, another one. Soros, MSM, corporatist, deep-state etc. These people are clones.

Please tell us what we should be reading. Links please.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Using kids for cheap political gain? Haven’t we seen all this before? Somewhere, beyond the rainbow.

Get back to school kids. Learn how to think. Encouraging a 12 year old into activism before they can do there times tables is literally insane. Sorry. As well intentioned as it may be. Nope.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

What is wrong with all of you people (from the comment section) ??

the human race activity is destroying the planet, we see it already and it's getting worse... kids are alarmed because they also wanted to enjoy our planet. And you guys are calling them stupid or brainwashed, even though you are the ones who vote for and believe your 70 years old favourite politicians, who are getting lot of money from all their friends from the polluting companies, waging wars for the sake of oil ??

1 ( +11 / -10 )

They interviewed the teachers of "climate strike" held in Australia last week they all admitted the kids wouldn't have shown up if it was held on a weekend or the school holidays - well guess what the last day of the term before New Zealand school holidays starts is September 27 - confirms the kids just want early start to their holidays and pushed into this by their teachers pushing an agenda.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

I think one of the main issues that's causing the eye-rolling here among the commenters is the existence of this article. Articles hitting the global news wires feel "important." So the subtext is that these kids skipping school to make a point is important. Hence the mockery - "This isn't important." "They should do something more substantial if they want to make a point." "They're just in it to skip class." If there wasn't a big deal being made out of it (meaning, no internationally-circulated article), then most people would just shrug their shoulders and move on if they heard of this story.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

When will people strike to regain control of their politicians? When will people start to hold their elected representatives accountable to them, the people?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I would hate to be a kid today. They will have to live with the results of our selfish actions inflicted upon this earth. They will also have to deal with higher unemployment, a world economy that is worsening by the minute, much higher crime rates all around, and never know the joys of a simpler life like it was in the 1980's and 1990's.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

vallum; "And what has she actually said? I mean, besides her angry words, has she actually proposed some solution or idea? Criticise is easy, the hard part is working for a solution."

We pay politicians for solutions, but all we get is graft and corruption.

Better to highlight the problem that act like an ostrich and hide your head in the sand.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Jimizo

There are 535 "lawmakers" in the US Congress. You've identified 3 individuals. Does that not constitute "a tiny minority fringe" in your concept of statistics? I'm sure we could find an equal number of people acting crazily in any political party (or among any interest group, since we're discussing the climate issue), in any country.

By the way, a link showing how these views are limited to a tiny minority would be useful. It’s just that I’ve seen otherwise.

So you'd like me to provide a link, but conclusions based on your own personal observations are sufficient?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I would hate to be a kid today. They will have to live with the results of our selfish actions inflicted upon this earth. They will also have to deal with higher unemployment, a world economy that is worsening by the minute, much higher crime rates all around, and never know the joys of a simpler life like it was in the 1980's and 1990's.

Nothing has changed. Check out this girl's speech, just like Greta's, from 1992!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRT9KO7vt08

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I never implied she ALONE should have THE solution, but instead of just criticising and not proposing anything at all (which is the same thing some politicians do, by the way), she could work together with others who think the same as her and then work for some ideas, little by little.

What? You obviously missed the point of what she was saying altogether. It's the "little by little" we've been doing which has led to the current problem.

You're basically telling her that she should do the status quo, when her whole thing is calling out that the status quo isn't working.

And she's 16 years old. She's supposed to be in school. Why can't the adults in the world fix the problem? It's pathetic that this girl is having to slap all the politicians in the world in the face for maintaining the status quo.

It's like asking the why the frog in the pot didn't start a committee to investigate the warming water, and whether it was actually getting warmer, as the pot begins to boil.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@ vallum

Greta is no Malala!.

{Greta's an privileged kid who has been 'groomed" to be a climate activist}.

.

.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Do it on the weekend, have the same turnout and then let us speak about it again. Won’t happen.

Had they done it on a weekend, you would be disparaging them for being too young, or too biased, or too whatever talking point you guys agree on.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

, a hysteria about climate that has no basis in reality

According to the global alt rightists pushing the agendas of big oil and other global economic powers that want to continue to pollute unimpeded.

Ironic that adults (I assume they are) parroting slogans from their media and their leaders are accusing kids worrying about their futures of being manipulated.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

A total excuse to ditch school.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

@Jimizo

What is the level of urgency and what are your sources?

Real life urgent problems affecting billions right now: war, poverty, sickness, homelessness, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, etc. This fact is not disputed by anyone. 100%, universally accepted fact.

My sources? The news, personal observation, etc.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Out of curiosity, to people commenting that these kids are all manipulated and they don't know a thing about life:

Is any of you under 70 years old and actually care how the planet will look in 25 years ?

bonus point : is any of you a scientist ? or someone with a higher education degree relevant to the matter ?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

There needs to be a middle ground between "the planet will burn in 12 years" and the strawman presented by Jimizo and others that conservatives think global warming is a hoax. In fact, most of my right wing friends are in agreement that the climate is changing, and indeed getting warmer. Where we diverge from the hysterics is in a; the extent of the change, b; the amount of change brought about by human activity and c; the repercussions of the change.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Why? That requires thinking. Much easier to lump all liberals together as a particular type of idiot, and all conservatives together as a slightly different type of idiot

Don’t be so US-centric. I’m from a country where the conservatives generally go with scientific consensus.

The US right wing in notorious for crazed anti-science crackpottery. From nut jobs believing in a 6,000-year-old planet, evolution being a hoax and now having a president knee-deep in conspiracy theories who thinks the whole thing was a hoax concocted by the Chinese.

These people are crackpots and idiots. ‘Middle way’ won’t wash with these headbangers.

I’d never lump all conservatives into this screaming loony bin.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

itsonlyrocknroll:

Greta Thunberg's parents need to withdraw there daughter from the world of climate change

Fat chance for that. Both parents are actors and climate activists. And the Soros-funded organization that handles Greta has unlimited funds.

That is blind activism for you.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@WilliB

concerned citizen:

My sources? The news, personal observation, etc.

"The news"? Like the globalist corporate media like CNN et al? That is not exactly a convincing source. And what "personal observation"?

What is the level of urgency and what are your sources?

I was asked by Jimizo why I think the following are more urgent problems than supposed global warming, and what my sources are: (war, poverty, sickness, homelessness, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, etc.)

Globalist fake news CNN is one source but just look at any news outlet to support my assertion.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The ongoing battle between the US right and science continues.

I’m interested in what the US right would like to feed kids with. Global warming is a hoax concocted by the Chinese? Bring a snowball into class as evidence of no problem? Telling kids it’s nothing to worry about as god promised he wouldn’t wipe out humanity again?

Crackpots and idiots.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

The US right wing in notorious for crazed anti-science crackpottery. From nut jobs believing in a...

Don't be so US-centric. This is not a discussion of American politics. And regardless what country either of us are from, you're continuing to make gross generalizations of an extremely large group of people based on a tiny minority fringe. I have no idea how many millions and millions of people are included in the "US right wing," but they certainly make up a nice bell curve dominated by normal human beings, with a small group of crazies on the edges. Like any large group. The world doesn't negatively judge the entire UK because of Coldplay. Don't judge half of the United States because of the lunatics they dig up and put on political interview shows or Twitter. Less bigotry is what I'm requesting.

Back to the issue at hand.

Yeah, I am very concerned about how our planet will be, but not because of CO2 or climate...Yes, I am a scientist

I'd be interested in hearing more about this.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@The Original Wing

A tiny minority fringe?

This includes the president of the US who pulled out of the Paris Accord and called climate change a hoax concocted by the Chinese.

This includes a lawmaker who walked into congress with a snowball to prove his point.

This also includes another lawmaker who dismissed the danger based on biblical prophecy.

If this ‘tiny minority’ was confined to walking around the streets with sandwich boards screaming ‘repent’ or watching Alex Jones, there wouldn’t be a problem.

These idiots are running the US.

By the way, a link showing how these views are limited to a tiny minority would be useful. It’s just that I’ve seen otherwise.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

So you'd like me to provide a link, but conclusions based on your own personal observations are sufficient?

I’d like you back up the tiny minority claim.

You can back off it if you like.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@Kuro

I am not convinced humans are contributing significantly to climate. Climate has always changed, and always will.

CO2 is food for plants and algae, they will take care of any "excess" CO2. Some growers pump CO2 in their greenhouse.

I think some people are getting very rich (richer) with this climate change hysteria.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Strangerland wrote Today 02:23 pm JST

Yeah, how dare she as an individual 16 year old girl not have the solution to the problem facing humanity that morons won't even exist is a problem.

Rookie.

I never implied she ALONE should have THE solution, but instead of just criticising and not proposing anything at all (which is the same thing some politicians do, by the way), she could work together with others who think the same as her and then work for some ideas, little by little. Confronting nations head-on won't lead to anything, but beginning with small-scale industries could make a difference in the long way. Small steps to a bigger goal.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

concerned citizen:

My sources? The news, personal observation, etc.

"The news"? Like the globalist corporate media like CNN et al? That is not exactly a convincing source. And what "personal observation"?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What is it with these "adults" who go weak-kneed in the presence of an angry 16 year old? Where are the grown-ups? Oh, I see... in the first few comments.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Sacrificing education doesn’t seem a good idea, go to school, get smarter that way, and protest / offer solutions on the weekends or holidays. What a message that would be.

Scrap your parent’s cars too.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Pointing finger is irresponsible behavior. Without humans, there won't be creations and trash everywhere. To save the planet from covering in trash, polution and destruction, humans have to cease to exist. It's only a natural course that we will destroy ourselves along with our planet.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

This is so ridiculous… look at top 20 richest companies in the world: Exxon is 12, Shell 18… i'm sure Total, BP are not far after. Where are the solar panel companies or wind turbines?? The rich are definitely on the side of Co2, pollution and status quo !

That is a non-sequitur. The oil companies are selling a product that modern society depends on. The solar panel and wind turbine companies depend on an artificial market created by taxed subsidies. And on the products supplied by the oil companies....

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Just fwiw, if climate change sceptics arranged rallies of children and had child actors deliver hysterical speeches, I would also condem that. Because I am against using children as political footballs, regardless if I agree or disagree with the specific politics.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Kuro:

> The main thing supporting all this are not companies, it's science.

Science does not support the political claims. And when political claims are argued like a religion, it certainly is not science we are looking at.

In any case, it is wrong to indoctrinate children.

Like Greta Thumberg said at the UN, with handlers behind her: "This is so wrong. I should not be up here. I should be in school." The only true sentence in her performance.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Ricky Kaminski first post stated the fact better than I could

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Wait there. "What Greta said!"?

And what has she actually said? I mean, besides her angry words, has she actually proposed some solution or idea? Criticise is easy, the hard part is working for a solution.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Greta Thunberg's parents need to withdraw there daughter from the world of climate change politics simple as that. It is time that Greta Thunberg parents stop ingratiating their daughter and gave her a hug.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

their!!! Oops!! Not exactly a poster boy for education myself!!! Japan today, spell check please!

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

the hard part is working for a solution.

That would require climate change deniers to accept there are in fact global climate related problems (start with rising sea levels), have them look through the lengthy lists of ways to mitigate those problems - with open minds, then actually get involved to implement the best ways to do so.

That would require some of the deniers questioning leaders like Trump and Putin, both unafraid to lie, the globe's energy corporations, big farm and ranch corporations, big tobacco, and others that are the biggest contributors to pollution and who have held power for too many decades. And it would require them to believe there are alternatives to the fossil economy.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Wait there. "What Greta said!"?

And what has she actually said? I mean, besides her angry words, has she actually proposed some solution or idea? Criticise is easy, the hard part is working for a solution.

Yeah, how dare she as an individual 16 year old girl not have the solution to the problem facing humanity that morons won't even exist is a problem.

Rookie.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

There is no justification for skipping school.

The reality is you have just five years to secure an education. HR will sift your CV from the schooling analysis, any behaviour difficulty can be deemed to manifest in later life. I know that is harsh, the £150000 vacancies demand a spotless schooling.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

These kids ought to be commended for speaking up for something they've been told is a serious threat. God bless them.

Their teachers ought to be condemned for emphasizing the global warming theory 'threat' over more urgent real life ones affecting billions right now such as war, poverty, sickness, homelessness, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, slaughter of the unborn, etc.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

These kids ought to be commended for speaking up for something they’ve been told us a serious threat

What is the level of urgency and what are your sources?

Are you in the god said he wouldn’t wipe out humanity again camp?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

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