Greeny News

Being green is widely accepted as a "good thing", why so many people have so little action?

Guest blogger Dr. Gary Haq

Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York is seen in the green room

The belief that the environment must be defended, care and protection is now widely accepted by almost all sectors of society. Over the last five years, environmental groups like Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the Worldwide Fund for Nature have campaigned successfully to increase environmental awareness.

Today environmental problems

influence our politics, economics, science and culture. The recent public outcry over the proposal to sell the forests of England, was opposed by powerful cyclists, horse riders, hikers and dog walkers Celebrity Oscar win.

Even people who rarely venture from the comfort of wood in the forests that exist and are accessible to all. The assumption widely expressed that the protection of the environment is a "good thing" means that we are all environmentalists now.

From Rachel Carson, noted the environmental effects of pesticides in Silent Spring (1962), it was more scientific evidence has shown the degree of human impact on the environment. The most recent assessment has identified nine planetary boundaries of which three have already been transgressed: climate change, biological diversity and the contribution of nitrogen in the biosphere.

As the limits are strongly linked, through a border can seriously threaten our ability to remain in the level of safety of others.

still do not understand the complexity of natural systems that we own, and to what extent we are affected by the planetary boundary transgression.

but is concerned about the environment that are not adequately prepared to translate that concern into action. Work experience in the field of community in the last five years in initiatives to promote a lifestyle low carbon clearly shows the challenge. Speaking to people in the door which gives an idea of ??the range of public attitudes toward the environment. Most people agree that there is a need to protect

the environment and take many small actions like recycling and reducing use of plastic bags. However, the time, effort, cost and understanding of the issues remain the main obstacles to the progress of a change in environmental performance.

the lack of communication

Government, the media and the environmental movement failed to recognize and communicate effectively with the public to the extent that we must change our lifestyles if we are to remain within the world. Public resistance to the use of light bulbs, fortnightly refuse collections, wind farms and fuel taxes have increased, making the prospect of living a much needed radical change increasingly unlikely.
carbon footprint has provided a useful tool for public participation in order to assess the environmental impact of lifestyles and has been effective in motivating individuals and community groups to change their behavior. However, since people want to know the carbon footprint of all that is limited to eco-geek. For many, the novelty of the carbon footprint disappears from the consciousness of basic life are needed.

Although a number of local community initiatives, such as transition towns movement have had some success in promoting behavior change, as well beyond the white middle class involved disadvantaged and marginalized communities is unclear.