How've you worked that one out?
People got flights to come and protest this. I don’t understand the process in being a climate change activist yet continue to contribute to all that you’re protesting against when there are alternative methods that have less footprint.
People want immediate change. That won’t happen. I’d like it to but it won’t. Being a vegetarian, using less plastic etc as yourself can have a big effect on those around you in day to day life and little things like the protest the schoolgirl did where she refused to go to class for an hour without this type of stuff is a much better way of protesting imo but if the white middle class want to do this then go for it.
The bolded person - I have no idea who she is, and why her protest will work. Why do you think it will make any difference, any more than this march? Because she is nice, governments will take action? No. Because she is nice, conservatives will vote green? No. Oil companies will move to wind production? Ha!
How do you think climate change can be addressed? Some 1000 people become ascetics and stop going on planes? Well, 10000 other people need planes to get to work or go home or because they don't care that others will die.
The problem has been more political than technical for a while. Oil companies have known about the science for about 30-40 years, and have suppressed it, then lobbied against action, then started major PR campaigns, and basically obfuscated, blocked, bribed their way to continuing profits. If you uncritically accept that aspect of our world, the only way to not contribute is to become a hermit an basically leave modern life, because you can't confront the companies.
@hobbers mentioned that UK emission are only 0.5% (actually 1%), but does that count the tons of consumer goods and carbon-intensive food imported by the UK? The massive emissions of China probably go into manufacturing goods consumed all over the world, especially US and Europe. My point is that modern life is based on carbon-derived energy, and individual action against climate change means leaving modern life, with the added bonus that a single individual literally doesn't make a difference.
The only way to combat climate change, given the short time scales left, is the kind of mobilisation seen for WW2, where significant parts of the economy are quickly oriented towards the important task at hand - in this case manufacturing and installing wind turbines and solar panels, and R&D especially for things like fuel cells. There is a small chance that this kind of civil disobedience married with a change in government can do that. There is no hope in most other avenues.
Edit - for the record, I don't eat meat and don't have a car. I don't think I'm doing anything special to combat climate change, compared to the protesters.