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Answer for question 4490.
Aug. 21st, 2015 09:39 am[Error: unknown template qotd]Well this got a bit more sweeping than the question was perhaps asking for, but listen, I have opinions about this!
I think about these things quite a bit you see. I teach on a sustainability and justice focused course and therefore think about these things a lot, and try to keep myself informed. Although information, knowing what's going on and what WILL happen as a consequence of climate change and what we must do to mitigate (not to stop or reverse because it is actually way, way too late for that) the impacts, has not been the problem for decades. Lack of political will, short-termism, old-fashioned greed and downright fear (monkey see no evil etc) are the problems. And yet, we know (and they know) that business-as-usual is over. A paradigm shift is coming, brought on by our own actions; a fundamental change in how we live and you, your community, your business, your sector must either adapt or become part of history.
We cannot wait for other people to do something about it, for the world-leaders or business-leaders to take action. They haven’t. They won’t. Instead, moving toward sustainable future that provides even an outside chance of survival for us as individuals, as communities, as a species, requires everyone to step up and become a leader themselves.
So that is the one thing I wish everyone would do: walk the talk. Be what Sarah Parkin (2010) calls ‘positive deviants’: people who will do the right thing despite obstacles, and who will challenge structures, systems and powers that build them, while bringing others with them. There are literally hundreds of ‘easy ways to be eco-friendly’ lists and tips out there in the internet, you really just have to search for them, start making some changes and become the example, the leader for others to follow.
I think about these things quite a bit you see. I teach on a sustainability and justice focused course and therefore think about these things a lot, and try to keep myself informed. Although information, knowing what's going on and what WILL happen as a consequence of climate change and what we must do to mitigate (not to stop or reverse because it is actually way, way too late for that) the impacts, has not been the problem for decades. Lack of political will, short-termism, old-fashioned greed and downright fear (monkey see no evil etc) are the problems. And yet, we know (and they know) that business-as-usual is over. A paradigm shift is coming, brought on by our own actions; a fundamental change in how we live and you, your community, your business, your sector must either adapt or become part of history.
We cannot wait for other people to do something about it, for the world-leaders or business-leaders to take action. They haven’t. They won’t. Instead, moving toward sustainable future that provides even an outside chance of survival for us as individuals, as communities, as a species, requires everyone to step up and become a leader themselves.
So that is the one thing I wish everyone would do: walk the talk. Be what Sarah Parkin (2010) calls ‘positive deviants’: people who will do the right thing despite obstacles, and who will challenge structures, systems and powers that build them, while bringing others with them. There are literally hundreds of ‘easy ways to be eco-friendly’ lists and tips out there in the internet, you really just have to search for them, start making some changes and become the example, the leader for others to follow.