Thought for 2010…
There is something so special about the 1st January…I feel it quite strong…all day thinking about what I would like to achieve during the coming 12 months…it happens to me every year….The last years have not been easy and I am sure the next months will also not be easy. But I am entering 2010 with an expectation that much will change.
Reading of the book Hot, Flat and Crowded (see previous blog entry), I am convinced that the coming year (well decade I guess) will be critical if we are to survive as a Planet, with life as we know it…and this is not scare mongering, just common sense.
Having been involved (in business) with the environmental theme for the last 20 years, I believe people generally just don’t understand the seriousness of the situation and more importantly, our Governments does not give us the guidance we need. We are constantly waiting for clear instructions on what to do….and regulation that tells us all what to do…especially manufacturers in the way to develop their products or sell their service.
I remember when the wearing of seat-belts became obligatory in the UK (I looked up it was 1983)…loads of people jumping up and down that it’s unconstitutional to be forced to wear them… now, if you don’t wear it and you get caught, it’s a fine of £60 to a maximum of £500. The issue is, we were told and we (the majority) obeyed.
The fact that there are still too many deniers, and the fact that countries like India and China can make their products with different laws and regulations, means we are working on different criteria, although we all as a Planet suffer the consequences. This is not to say that the cause of the problem has been just India and China…the USA and EU have their responsibilities well documented. Problem is, India and China have 40% of the world’s population and now getting into gear to emulate the USA in terms of environmental friendliness.
I worry for mine and your children…I honestly do.
In the mean time, what do we do…just keep on doing the same….or do we change even though we know the effect is minimal.
I believe we need to change and I believe if we can individually influence just one other person we know to change their ways, we begin to make a difference. The question is, what do we change….I will come back to this very soon…
