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Why does it matter that climate change is getting in the news? Short thread about #ExtinctionRebellion, school strikes, Greta in London and the BBC documentary.
Context: to stop warming hitting dangerous levels, emissions have to fall a few % a year, till they’re at zero in a generation. They're still rising. 
The UK’s done well in cutting emissions. But that’s mostly come from things few people notice, esp shutting coal power, which brings little political risk.
There’s not much more carbon cutting to squeeze from existing policy. New policies are needed, or the UK will soon start missing targets.
The government knows this. So why doesn’t it get back on track? Because it thinks the political pain is greater than the reward.
An overwhelming majority say they’re worried about climate change. But only a quarter, or so, are deeply worried and want significant changes to deal with it.
Most are in the middle. Realise climate change is a problem & worried. But don’t think about it much – so are bemused when someone suggests, eg, getting rid of gas boilers. So government takes path of least resistance, and the targets start slipping.
Extinction Rebellion, school strikes, Attenborough doc etc won’t change that alone. But they can help. Not so much because it shows activists are worried – that won’t do much for the government...
... but because it forces those in the middle to think & talk about climate change. So next time politicians suggest getting rid of gas boilers, it might not come as such a surprise.
It won't be the full answer. Several other things needed. If you want to know more, there’s a book for that: amazon.co.uk/Climate-Majori…
