IS SUSTAINABLE(ISH) ENOUGH?
In the last few weeks it really does feel as thought the rest of the world is finally waking up to climate change and the future that lies ahead if we don't take immediate action. I'm always aware that my social media bubble means that I end up seeing the world through green-tinted specs, but thanks to the Youth Climate Strikes inspired by the simply phenomenal Greta Thunberg, Extinction Rebellion and Sir David Attenborough himself, climate change is hitting the headlines and it seems like the messages are slowly starting to filter down.
It feels as if there is finally a feeling of urgency, at least from us, the general public. Frustratingly this doesn't yet seem to be reaching politicians, but we can no longer be in any doubt that drastic changes are needed if we are to preserve society and life on earth as we know it. The task feels overwhelming, I'm not going to suggest otherwise. It needs unprecedented action. And it's needed now. We need monumental changes in the way we procure and use energy, the way we feed the growing global population, how we travel and so much more.
All of which leaves me feeling like my imperfect approach, the baby steps, the 'ish', maybe isn't quite enough. Environmental journalist and campaigner George Monbiot was on Frankie Boyle's New World Order show (amazing to see climate change getting discussed properly on a comedy show!) and he talks about changing cotton buds and "pathetic micro-consumerist bollocks" and the need to go right to the heart of the system and overthrow capitalism and the incessant demand for constant economic growth. When I saw it I really questioned whether my 'sustainable(ish)' approach is right after all.
But after much rumination and hand-wringing I'm sticking with it, and if anything re-doubling my efforts to get more and more people on board.
Yes we're not going to solve the climate crisis by changing our cotton buds. None of us is going to change the climate crisis on our own. It needs massive, decisive action from the world's politicians, and it needs business leaders to step up and to put people and planet above profits. This is when we will start to see some massive shifts in the right direction. But that doesn't mean that as individuals we don't have a role to play. Because our actions, no matter how seemingly pathetic and micro do matter. Starting to make tiny changes empowers us to make bigger changes. The different choices that we make send out a message to retailers and to manufacturers that we want something different. And when we're empowered by the choices we make, we become empowered to make our voices heard. To e-mail companies about their crappy packaging, to tweet our MPs, maybe even to go on a march.
But none of that happens unless we feel able to start. And that's why I still think 'ish' is where it's at.
It's intimidating to be told that we need to overthrow capitalism - we probably do, but I'm not an economist and I haven't the foggiest how I might go about doing that. However I do know that I can make different choices every day - I can buy less, I can eat less meat, I can switch to renewable energy. And when I need to buy something new, I can make sure I'm giving my money to the businesses and companies whose values most closely align with my own. Who are looking out for people and planet.
Maybe we are moving into a time where we need extreme measures. We need dramatic change. and we're at a tipping point. But that doesn't have to come from one person or a few big actions. It can also come from millions of people doing small things to tip the scales in our favour. I've shared this quote before and I'm going to keep sharing it, because it so neatly sums up my philosophy:
