'I'm no longer alone': readers on how the climate movement has affected them

(The Guardian, 25 Apr 2019) The last week has seen environmental activist Greta Thunberg meet with MPs in London, Extinction Rebellion disrupt cities and the BBC air David Attenborough’s rousing Climate Change: The Facts documentary. It feels like we’ve reached a pivotal moment in the climate movement. Readers tell us how it has affected them.

‘I once imagined having children in the future, I’ve come to realise that may not be possible anymore’

Extinction Rebellion, the School Strike for Climate and Greta Thunberg have changed my understanding of the climate issue by highlighting to me – in a way I didn’t realise before – the urgency of the problem facing us. I have been extremely concerned about the future of our planet in a way I haven’t felt before. While I once imagined having children in the future, I’ve come to realise that may not be possible anymore. I did not fully grasp how quickly we need to act to save the planet – I had a false sense that someone, politicians, scientists, billionaire philanthropists, would swoop in and sort it out before it is too late.

Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg have really highlighted that this is not the case. Politicians will not do anything until the public starts caring about these issues and voting in line with them – both in elections and with their pockets.
Mairi Jeffery, 24, London

‘For the first time, my friends and family are talking about the issue’

This movement has given me great hope. I have felt for a long time that it was almost impossible to talk about the climate emergency; the government has acted so indifferently and there has been such little focus in the media that it seemed difficult to believe we are rapidly approaching a crisis.

The protests give the issue a tangible urgency in a way that the scientific reports have struggled. For the first time, my friends and family are talking about the issue without me raising it. This movement has shown me that ordinary people can mobilise effectively and act when our government is failing us.
Anna, 31, London

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The Guardian, 25 Apr 2019: 'I'm no longer alone': readers on how the climate movement has affected them