It's all down to me (and you)

On Thursday this week I went to a conference - All our futures - at the University of Plymouth. It was a three day event looking at the role of education in building a sustainable future, but the final day (Thursday) was opened up to look at the practical application of sustainability to businesses and communities. There was a lot of interesting discussion and debate about the challenges to be faced in tackling climate change, and the need for urgent action. At the end of the day there was a Q&A / discussion session about the issues that had been raised over the course of the three days. The consensus was that it is each of us as individuals who need to take responsibility, and take action, to address climate change and the issues that impact it.

Some of the influences on society had been raised in the course of the day's discussion (particularly in the keynote presentation on Thursday by Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy). Politicians and business were two of these groups identified who are perceived to have the greatest influence. But the point was raised that the decision making process in both of these groups is ultimately driven by us - their audience. Both of these groups rely on their audience for success. If they fail to give their audience what they want and keep them happy they will suffer (particularly evident in UK politics at the moment). They will lose the position they currently hold. So people need to speak up. They need to make their feelings known. They need to call for change.

And there are indications that people - individuals - recognise that they are in a position of influence. A recent survey by Defra (see this previous post) found that voters feel it is them as individuals who are doing the most to tackle climate change, not politicians or businesses. But in my day-to-day experience, in business and as a consumer, change seems to be happening very slowly.

So what's the solution? Communication. Tell people what the problems are, and how they can help to sort them out. Give people an opportunity to get involved. Show them that they can make a difference.

And remember that includes you. And me.