Passion by Proxy
For months now I have been interviewing people for a job in our environmental publishing 'wing'. I have been struck by how passionately they have proclaimed their interest in environmental issues. The passion has obviously come in varying degrees of sincerity, but not one of them (as far as I remember) has been interested enough to join with those who push for change. No membership of Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth, not even of the RSPB or the Soil Asosciation, no activism, no political engagement. Leaving aside any cynicism about 'going for interviews', I wonder if we are inclined to splutter and bluster in our own isolated boxes rather than more effectively join with the wider community? Does the Internet encourage us to think that we are being effective (and I do know that we can be) when we are just ranting into the ether?
posted by Alastair @ 10:45 am
6 comments
6 Comments:
it might help if your link to greenpeace worked! ;o)
try http://www.greenpeace.org.uk for UK and http://www.greenpeace.org for worldwide
or dig the new breed at http://www.enoughsenough.org
Thanks greenpete - it's working now.
Hi, I got your "British-Bed and Breakfest" on sale for 10 dollars(canadian) instead of playing 32 dollars, and I think its an absolutely phenomenal book, and I look forward to my next trip to the United Kingdom even more now!
Thanks again
-Elliott
(Canada)
Hello again Alistair,
Second time on here, thought i would put in my two pence worth!
I am now 32 years old, and wanted to say that i for one do think more about the envronment than i used to when i was a tad younger. I have now replaced all the light bulbs at home with A rated energy saving bulbs, all our appliances, fridge, freezer, washer etc are all now A rated to maximise efficiency and reduce both power and water consumption. I still drive a petrol car, but made a choice to have one wth a smaller engine rather than a more powerful "faster" one, or one wth diesel. In fact i hope to make a Prius my next purchase (if i can afford it). Yes thats right, if i can afford it. You see, all the above choices i made were initially from a cost point of view. My car insurance and petrol consumption is lower due to the smaller engine size. My electricity bills are lower too. I am getting one of those toilet hippos to reduce the amount i flush each time nature calls. But the funny thing is, my motivation was very much of a capitalist nature, save money = more money in MY pocket. However, all this "greenery" has made me think. I now think a bit more about what i do has an impact. I bought those bags for life from tesco, so now i dont have millions of plastic bags cluttering my kitchen. Fairtrade proucts now feature more on my shopping list. i for one prefer demerara sugar in my tea, organic dark chocolate, gluten free pasta and so on. And the great thing is that it DOESNT cost much more than before. However, i am not at the point where i feel i want to join greenpeace etc. Maybe because they always seem to be portrayed as a touch militant? Not their fault, they are passionate and the media love a good story to distort. Its just that i am not ready yet. Slowly slowly catchy monkey has been my approach to alot of things in life!
But i do think that the internet does enable us to engage in debate, and even action. I mean, look at your blog Alistair, you have made me want to get in touch and discuss. If only my old english teachers could get me to sit up and want to say something or write an essay like this. They would have been very happy!
But what about supporting those that want to make a difference? I would love to be able to recycle more of my waste, but my local council does not supply us with the means to do so. We only have one collection a week, and that goes straight into the back of the garbage truck. I shall be approaching them over this, dont worry. You see, you have pushed me into action, never mind debate!
Maybe i should lobby tony blair to ban all ordinay light bulbs in the UK? Apparently thats what Australia are wanting to do!
Anyway, thanks for the blog. See you soon
Big Mike
Big Mike,
Greenpeace have a campaign on right now urging all major retailers to cease selling incandescent lightbulbs which as you say have now been banned in Australia. So perhaps you aren't as far away from them as you think!
Check out http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/climate/what-you-can-do/ask-your-supermarket-to-make-the-switch
Vicki
I don't think you need to join these associations in order to do 'your bit' , to stay informed, or to be 'committed'. If everyone looked after their own little patch in the world then we would be moving in the right direction. Home is often a good place to start, stewardship of the Earth in my opinion starts whereever you are.
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