DEMOS

Since the Brundtland report, now coming up on its 20^th anniversary, we’ve had a international framework for sustainable development: the 'north' and the 'south' need to work together toward solutions that satisfy both. Today, armed with Stern’s latest economic modeling, the point is the essentially the same: we’re all in this together. Especially developed nations need to invest now to reduce our impact on the planet.  

We get it. Climate change is the most colossal market failure the world has ever seen and all individuals and nations need to start linking together prototypes like the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and investing in GHG reductions now or face dire consequences. It will only cost us 1% of GDP but the costs of not acting are much higher.

But, we’re also facing new reasons not to act. Where we used to not recycle because we could clearly see that other people were throwing their coca-cola cans out of their car windows, we now don’t reduce because all those people in China are burning coal and emitting billions of tons of GHGs. We think, “what difference does my action make?” Or we think, “The US didn’t ratify Kyoto and they are the worst offender, so why should I stop flying EasyJet?”

Just as we try to crack collective efficacy in our local and national contexts, we have a new ‘globalised’ world view which means we’re doubly disillusioned.

Whilst the imperative to tackle international collective efficacy is even more urgent, the tools to do it may also be in place.

Duncan and I have been having a discussion about how ‘green growth’ is really a great message. (To me, this is old news and has been the message since the mid-90s!) Finally, Stern has put this into the mainstream – he’s setting out a not-too-scary, actionable plan for growth that doesn’t hurt the environment. In the past, companies got more efficient, reduced waste and saved money, all while reducing their impact. Now, we have the opportunity to put a framework in place for more disruptive changes and greater gains. Efficiency has it’s limits, and now we should change the rules of the game.

Or don't wait for government, there are people acting anyway. Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century, a new book by our friends at Worldchanging, showcases the optimists getting out and taking action. This is exactly what people are asking for – solutions.