Why is it so hard to get a good Role-model for climate change activism.

I used to be fairky active about climate change but now that Greta came along I had to distance myself from most organizations as many seem to praise or support her. It is such a shame we cant have role models in climate change we can look up to.

#climatechange #climate #science #enviroment #greta #gretathurnberg

@freemo
I am intrigued a bit. Why you want to distance yourself because of Greta?

I personally feel her involvement made the issue focal point of many news outlets. And it got the attention it deserved and needed.

@shibaprasad I agree, but the media attention on climate change is not what is important here. The media attention on a kid striking and causing kids all over the globe to strike because governments refuse to act on climate change Is important. They are striking, just like any union member strikes, to stop injustice and cause action. They are fighting for their future and they are honourable people with passion and willpower.

@freemo I think you are being too logical :) yes kids need education

@binsrc

Comparing them playing hookie to a strike is not a good comparison IMO for several important reasons.

1) they dont have clear terms they are striking for, so its not really a strike or demand but a perpetual temper tantrum (a justified one mind you)

2) more importantly, a Strike shows your commitment to a cause because you are giving up something and making a sacrifice by striking. PEople who strike sacrifice a pay check and devote the time and energy to stand outside with signs all day when sacrificing that income.

In the case of kids playing hooky from school that is what they **want** to do, every kid (almost) looks for any opportunity they can to get a day off school, to them having a day off is not a punishment but a reward. There is no sense of sacrifice, they are taking something they want (skipping school) and parading it around as a strike.

Nothing about it is a strike, and it is not really at all comparable to what a union does. Striking from work is not the same as striking from education.

Now if these kids were striking from recess, or if they went on a hunger strike every lunch period and instead of going to lunch stood outside with protest signs, **then** id be compelled to agree with you.

@shibaprasad

@freemo the drawback with striking from lunch or play time is that it’s not public, it’s easy to sweep under the carpet. There is no reaction when it is hidden away out of sight, although I tend to agree if they made personal sacrifice it would be even more honorable. Kids don’t really have much worth sacrificing though and their commitment to the cause (playing hookie) is a catalyst if not only for their own perpetual involvement, but for others to see and learn.

@shibaprasad

@binsrc

How would a hunger strike, recess strike, or another form of strike any less public than a school strike. How public something is comes down to if/how it is announced. I dont see how one is intrinsicly any more hidden than the other.

There are a ton of ways to strike and get publicity and a ton of things kids have to sacrafice. I have no doubt if kids en masse spent their weekends for example gathering and protesting it too would get attention. More so in fact because it would show sacrafice and commitment to a cause. I'm amazed some kids playing hookie got attention at all.

@shibaprasad