A fairly extensive poll by the BBC inquiring whether individuals can make lifestyle changes to redress damage to the biosphere returned a positive result. Most of us think we can and will make changes. This is a good start, but we should not be complacent for a two main reasons:
- The changes envisioned are modest in comparison to the kind of changes that will be required. Turning off the lights and paying more for petrol is one thing, but not travelling and eating more healthily is harder. And the real system changes that are inevitable in order for humanity to live within the resources of the biosphere (2 billion people maximum) are difficult to conceive, for example, imagine reducing the global population by two thirds in 30 years in a stable way.
- It is far harder to make change, than talk about change. Many have talked about change, but failed to actually make change – the most visible examples being the many big companies that are so good at greenwash, but do little to change systems. Its easy to point at “Ghandi”, but far harder to be “Ghandi”. Change starts with oneself.
However, the very positive aspect of the poll is that awareness is very high – well over 50%. Awareness is the first stage in system change, followed by initiators, then followed by the majority. Initiators are already in the 1-5% range and with awareness at this level (over 50%), the chance of seeing real system change (the kind that’s needed) within a decade is certainly possible.
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