TV on standby is the new adultery
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Is shame a good way of tackling climate change? Co-ops of course care about the issue deeply, and co-op solutions should be at the forefront of renewable energy and recycling. More than that, being a co-operator means individuals co-operating - taking collective and individual action - to reduce our impact.But now there seems a distinct 'name and shame' approach to the issue. Last summer came 'True Green Confessions', the brainchild of a Benedictine monk where you can own up to your eco-crimes and pledge to take penance. Rather than Hail Mary's it's more boiler-cladding. Meanwhile Google has started the UK Carbon Footprint Project. Here you can not just calculate how much carbon you're wasting; you can also own up to it, put a big arrow on the UK map to point at your profligacy and pledge to do something different.
Maybe like other substance abuse, the first step to dealing with our carbon addiction is to admit it to ourselves and others. But it seems rather shallow. Real solutions are what people need. Solutions that fit into their lives and follow their aspirations. Government action, collective action, not do-it-on-your-own action.
Let's make the environment sexy, not shameful.
Labels: climate change, environment, Google
