According to the article most people complained about the scientific evidence used, but the rest simply thought the ad was too scary...
I haven't seen the ad, so I can't comment on the science used (and I probably wouldn't have a clue anyway...), but the fact that some people find it too scary probably says a lot about the general attitude to our Planet. We don't really want to know. I certainly would rather live in oblivion! What is the Government thinking bringing this day of doom message right into our living room, just when you've sat down to relax in front of the telly? No wonder people are complaining.
Unfortunately the message is true - all signs are pointing towards a bleak future if we continue the way we are going at the moment. The question I am asking is what exactly are we expected to do? This is not me trying to run away from responsibility, but I would like some clear guidelines, how much do I personally need to do? I am trying to do what is right, but I am struggling to find out exactly how much is enough. What is the point in scaring people if you are not offering any solutions?
I wish somebody could tell me that if I do x,y and z, then things will probably turn out OK in the end. But unfortunately this is not the case. I think we need more information we can relate to at a personal level. Having a smart meter in the house was a hundred times more effective at changing my habits than 20 energy saving campaigns, because the smart meter gave me information related directly to me. Generic information is exactly that - generic, and therefore very easy to dismiss as not really relevant to me.
For action to happen we need arguments we can understand and a belief that the target is achievable. I started this green project completely voluntary, and so far it has not been just plane sailing. I still have days when the state of the planet comes very far down my list of priorities. I have times when I feel it is a never ending spiral and there will always be something else I can do to be that little bit greener. On those days I would rather the Government gave me some incentives to get my act together, rather than scaring me with grim pictures of the future. I would like some happy stories that showed me that it is worth the effort.
We are all comfort creatures and I think we are much more likely to listen and to act if we can see easy ways of doing stuff. Things for example would be looking great in Scotland, if we could help the planet by drinking beer!
The parts of my project that have been the most successful are the ones where I either save money or don't have to do much. I am much better at saving energy now, because I can actually see it on the bill. I do my washing at 30 degrees, because it makes no difference to my daily life at all. The parts where I struggle more is where a real change of habit is needed - that takes a different level of determination (which I don't always have).
Maybe I need to think about my arguments for doing this. Am I trying to save the planet for the sake of my children? Am I doing this to feel better about myself? Am I just being a good citizen listening to the Government? (Probably not...). Am I really looking to save money rather than the Planet? Did I just want a subject for a blog? I am not sure, maybe it is all of them.
One thing I am sure of is that if the Government or anybody else for that matter really wants to help us change our habits then they need to help us find our personal motivation. They can dish out all the information in the world, but if they can't get people motivated one way or another it is all a complete waste.
To keep myself motivated I bought a fridge magnet the other day. It has a foolproof argument:
Save the Earth - It is the only planet with chocolate!
We do need to be motivated and able to see the successful happy results rather than the vague and scary ones that we don’t know exactly how we can avoid.
ReplyDeleteCertainly motivation is key, like a free organic, fair trade and eco sourced chocolate bar would get me motivated along with a similarly sourced coffee.
Not sure about the beer though, probably lead me to sleeping and not doing anything for the environment.