Britain’s favourite soaps have been accused by fans of preaching about climate change during episodes filmed to coincide with COP26.
Episodes aired since November 1, featuring stories about the environment from Emmerdale (EastEnders), Emmerdale (and Hollyoaks) have been shown. This was done in order to raise awareness of issues discussed at the Glasgow Conference.
However, viewers found the references to woke disturbing and begged the writers for some relief.
In the Coronation Street Specials Maria Windass was played by Samia Langchambon as she launched a campaign against a bypass being constructed on the recreational ground that her son Liam, an asthmatic, plays football.
Coronation Street Specials featured Maria Windass, played by Samia Langchambon as Maria Windass. She launched a campaign against a bypass being constructed on the recreation field where her asthmatic son Liam footballs.
Windass records a video about pollution after an argument with Sally Metcalfe. Later, there is a demonstration at the council headquarters where protesters chant: ‘Air pollution, it’s not a lie, please don’t let our children die!’
It is being discussed whether carbon neutrality by 2050 could be achieved.
Emmerdale was a Yorkshire play that promoted the cultivation of your own food. Jonny McPherson plays Dr Liam Cavanagh and encourages others to grow their own food in his fictional village.
In the BBC soap EastEnders, the focus was on cutting meat consumption with schoolgirl Bailey Baker standing outside Albert Square’s Walford East Underground station, raising a petition for meat-free Mondays.
She says: ‘Global livestock production makes a huge amount of greenhouse gases. To save our planet, they must be decreased.
‘It causes deforestation and pollution. Don’t you care that there are floods and droughts?’
Later Bailey tells residents: ‘We need to cut down the amount of meat we eat to help save the planet before it’s too late. This is a terrible example of the destruction that has already been done. If we all stop eating meat for one day a week we can all help slow down climate change.’
Cindy Cunningham, a Hollyoaks participant, launches Sweater Thunberg, a clothing stand in honor of Greta Thunberg.
In the BBC soap EastEnders, the focus was on cutting meat consumption with schoolgirl Bailey Baker (pictured) standing outside Albert Square’s Walford East Underground station, raising a petition for meat-free Mondays
Emmerdale’s Jane Hudson was the executive producer. However, Emmerdale fans weren’t happy about Jane Hudson’s efforts to spread awareness and make millions of viewers aware.
One said: ‘The heavy-handed way the soaps are dealing with climate change is tiresome. We know it’s important but the soaps serve as light relief from real life.’
Another wrote on Twitter: ‘We are not idiots, we know about climate change. Your viewers should stop preaching to you.
‘Sick of the sound of climate change today so thought let’s watch a bit of Emmerdale. And here we are having another soap lecture.’
Others Emmerdale fan were quick critics of it because Leyla Haring (played by Roxy Shahidi) was allowed to use a plastic mug while raising concern about climate change.