Getting your eco-message across crystal clear

Extinction Rebellion protests in London, April 2019 (Image: The Independent)

I'm getting annoyed because I find myself being frustrated at Sir David Attenborough. I know, I know. He is an absolute legend, why should I ever get frustrated with him? However, he's heavily involving himself in present debates around the environment and climate change which are getting out of hand - so much so, I fear I'm turning into a cynic.

Now, before you judge, I am fully aware of ways our world is changing and that largely, the damages to nature is done by us humans. I am quietly angst at those who needlessly cut trees across the Amazon Rainforest. I am saddened whenever I hear once cherished animals are now considered endangered. And I share concerns made by environmentalists that melting ice caps could lead to unwanted circumstances for mankind.

Yet, when I see how campaigners are currently expressing themselves to make the points mentioned above, I cannot help but shake my head and roll my eyes. The past couple of weeks alone has seen disruption affecting thousands of workers and tourists across London and beyond, with demonstrations closing Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. Picket lines also took place at Heathrow Airport and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) saw hefty delays as people stuck themselves to a train. And the protests even affected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as people chained themselves to his front gate.

The protests have gained some great traction, attracting celebrity supporters like Chris Packham and Emma Thompson. Protesters have also attracted law and order, with more than 1,000 arrests made. They even gave news reporters something to talk about, with MPs having been in recess for most of the time these marches had taken place.

Smog in London

While these protests have gotten people's attention, I find myself scratching my head about what was the point of it all. From what was probably promised to be well-meant demonstrations, it quickly resembled a disorganised carnival from the flower power era. How can you justify being pro-environment and use graffiti to express your dissatisfaction - probably knowing full well they're not really that environmentally friendly?

Also, what do these protesters want us to do? We've been educated about the changing climate through highly visual and engaging documentaries like Blue Planet II, offering little, yet meaningful, solutions like recycling plastic bottles and ditching unrecyclable plastic. Protests with no plan of action offered for we individuals is utterly pointless. And while I understand why they targeted London for these protests because the capital is struggling to lower its emission levels. London reaches above the annual legal limit within a week of a given year. But Mayor Sadiq Khan is planning to change this. Not only has the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) been implemented this month, he plans to further improve London's damning green track record.

This latest mass protest, organised by Extinction Rebellion, seemed too generic and had no end goal. Specific campaigns and demonstrations such as those against fracking (drilling of shale gas and oil) are those future eco-warriors should aspire to. Go to the heart of the debate and send clear and precise messages. The more vague you become, the fewer you'll convince.

It is unfortunate that these protesters are running away with the words from the likes of Sir David Attenborough and 16-year-old Greta Thunberg. Saying we're on the verge of 'global catastrophe' and that our future generations will have no future, sounds like a total overstatement. Environmentalists have been saying this for decades yet I don't feel we're any closer to being harmed compared to the previous decade. I remember Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" documentary - have we seen further evidence to suggest the warnings he presented are coming completely accurate? These warnings are simply forecasts and not likely to get climate change deniers on their side, regardless of how genuine they sound.

Amazon Rainforest reality (Image: TreeHugger)

Slowing climate change takes baby steps. Over ten years ago, we were asked to turn off our digital devices. Five years ago, we were warned against using diesel cars to which since, sales are decreasing. Today, we're asked to cut down on plastic to which this plan is working, in the UK at least, with major supermarket chains like Iceland pledging ambitious, yet, much needed plans.

The UK is performing well, and of course, can always do more - but what else can we do without causing disruption to our increasingly complex daily lives? More of us are buying electric cars, phones are charging quicker so we don't have to waste electricity. Do we go back to pre-television days minus the steam trains? Let's focus on those nations who are failing to meet green expectations. Why not encourage the Trump administration to return to the Paris Agreement they stupidly backed out of? Why not influence South American governments and actually form decent dialogues with major corporations so they can stop cutting trees for economic gain?

Our climate will always change, but let's not get reckless in terms of talking about its pace. Let's turn this powerful emotion to poignant logic. To be honest, I'd be concerned if the climate wasn't changing. Protesters need to realise that changing even more government policies take time and that politicians are getting better in understanding today's nature. Keep the faith.