EWM Returns

Hello!

After an extended break, EcoWarriorMe returns with big plans for the year ahead.  Previous posts focused on actions we as individuals could take as well as emphasising that climate change is real, and a threat that needed urgent attention. The world has moved on a little in the past few years.  There is a greater acceptance of the science behind climate change and the need for urgent action.  Many organisations, from local and national government to NGOs and business have declared a Climate Emergency.  The real power to change comes from government and business so this is comforting.  To a certain degree.

Individual choices still matter but not as much as larger energy users and service providers. I used to advocate for us all to play our part.  This is still important.  But not to the point where it harms our physical or mental wellbeing. We cannot blame the powerless victims and ask them to make all the sacrifices.  You will have benefited from the advances brought about by the carbon intensive economy but cannot be blamed for taking what is offered.

Our situation is critical, exacerbated by previous generations’ failure to act despite the warning signs and pleas. This doesn't entitle us to deprive future generations of opportunities afforded ourselves, or expect them to make sacrifices now.

It is my view that we should be looking to maintain the same "service levels" for society in the most developed nations but removing the environmental harms, whether habitat degradation, pollution or climate change. In parallel, we need to raise service levels in developing nations in a manner which bypasses the intermediate heavily polluting and damaging stages we went through. How do we achieve this objective, with finite resources and a growing population?

People, in general, will not tolerate a significant decline in living standards. This is why businesses need to be able to offer the equivalent goods and services in a more sustainable way. This requires creative thinking. How do we genuinely get more for less?  Less resources, less carbon intensive energy, less damage to the natural world.  It is not easy. It will involve changing the way we do things, sometimes in subtle imperceptible ways, other times in more obvious and disruptive ways. 

Change can be slow. People dislike change. It can be uncomfortable. The climate demands that we change quickly, starting now. How do we do this? We need to persuade people of the benefits of change. Benefits to them specifically. For this to have the necessary impact, it needs to be easy for people to make better choices. Nudging alone won't work if there are no better choices.

We need to have conversations with friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who will listen.  They need to be good conversations.  Not berating someone for their decision to drive or fly to Dubai for the weekend.  It is more about opening people’s eyes to hidden opportunities, drawing attention to an interesting article or sharing positive experiences of trying something new and more sustainable. Being better informed ourselves will help.

These are some of the things EWM will blog about.  Posts about individual choices we have: good vs bad, or better vs poorer. Posts about changes being driven by industry and government which can make our good choices better yet remaining aware of unintended consequences and green-washing. And posts about connecting with nature.  Having a strong connection with nature and the outdoors gives a greater appreciation of what we stand to lose, and how our environment is already changing.

Posts in the coming weeks hope to cover the following areas:

• Transport: initially focusing on active travel - a positive choice we can make;
• Energy: updates on the renewable energy transition;
• Resources: recycling, upcycling, resource optimisation;
• Stories: about connecting with nature; and
• Conservation: looking at rewilding.

EWM plans publishing weekly on a Friday afternoon with occasional additional posts. In the meantime, the blog’s About page has been updated along with pages on Renewable Energy, Transport and Resources. 

EWM, December 2022