So often when we hear about the environment, and climate change in particular, we are hearing warnings or predictions of what will happen if we continue consuming and wasting at the levels we are now, telling us that everyone needs to change, right now, but not telling us how. And warnings are important, but I think people have heard that message many times now (or avoided listening to it many times, changed channels, skipped that story in the paper). And in many cases, it's not helping us to actually change- it's not empowering.
I'm designing my PhD research at the moment (well, actually, finalising my research questions), so have been thinking a lot about why people are generally living with unsustainable habits- not healthy, not happy, worried about money (but paradoxically, going further and further into debt), and damaging the environment. I've been thinking about all the things that keep us in the patterns we live in, the barriers to a sustainable life. Apathy, fear, physical barriers (time, money), habits, lack of understanding the ways that basically everything we do is related to our carbon output... to name a few.
And then I started wondering what success would look like- what would a sustainable life, a sustainable community at all levels, look like? If we overcame those barriers (and the how of this is what I want to do research on!), and people were taking control of their lives and living sustainably, what would our country (or world) be like? Basically, what are we aiming for?
Scientific goals are in terms of maximum carbon parts per million (350!), and for many people there are personal goals of living simply, opting out of the rat race. But that carbon goal doesn't give us anything to aim for personally, and doesn't say anything about the potential of living sustainably to improve lives on a number of dimensions- health-wise, mental health-wise and economically as well as environmentally.
We need a low carbon economy, is what all the carbon goals translate to, but in real terms, what could our lives be like? I think the huge amount of change which is going to occur is scary for a lot of people, and I think that fear is a barrier to thinking about it or planning changes. Which leads to them acting in the same way we have been, which means that the changes will have to happen sooner, as we run out of fuel and climate changes start to impact on our lives!
So that's what I'm asking myself at the moment- could this lack of a dream to aim for, lack of a future that we would like to live in, be a barrier in itself? And what world would I like to live in, what am I aiming for?
This is my sustainable dream... and it is rough, so probably can be interpreted in lots of different ways. And it's incomplete, there are many issues I haven't considered. But I don't want to qualify it! Too many qualifications are very bad for the imagination! and without imagination we probably can't move forward.
I don't think our lives would have to be fundamentally different from the way they are now, to be a lot better.
I want to live with stronger local communities of politically active, empowered, passionate, healthy and happy people. Where people know exactly where their food and energy is coming from, because in many cases they are helping to generate it, and the rest of the time it is produced locally, through sustainable, renewable methods. Where people don't have to work so hard, because they are working better, in jobs that are intrinsically satisfying instead of being a means to consumer goods which help them to escape their work lives. People are closer to being self sufficient, so they don't have to earn as much, so have more time at home, with their families and friends, and are less stressed and worried. Because everyone is less stressed and worried, and has more time, friendships in the community are stronger, and so much more support is given between families and in neighborhoods, for the young, the elderly, the sick, the sad and lost.
Economists will realise that it's quality of life that is most important, not economic growth, (that above a certain level of GDP more money does not mean better lives), and so start using health, happiness, education, justice and equality statistics as outcome variables, as goals. When human health is put at the forefront, it will be obvious that the true environmental cost must be included in prices of consumer goods (because the health of the planet and health of the people are inextricably linked), so (through something like a carbon or environmental impact tax) prices of sustainable goods and services will go down, and goods that are unsustainable and damaging, or that are damaging to produce, will go up.
This reevaluation of 'success' will also lead to many policy changes, including to an open and accountable democratic system, where people have a lot more power (because powerlessness is also bad for our health!).
Cars are used much less, and only when absolutely necessary. Public transport is quick, cheap and convenient. People are healthier, because they get more exercise getting around, and they eat fresh foods, with a vegetable based diet, where meat is only a supplement, and not the main feature. High quality health care and education are universally available, and nurses, doctors, social workers, carers, parents, teachers and educators are respected and valued as essential to a strong and happy community. Unions are strong, as workers rights and safety are once again a high priority.
The history of the land and the people who cared for it for millennia, our indigenous peoples, are respected, valued and celebrated. Aboriginal Australians constitute strong, healthy and politically powerful groups and nations within the Australian community. Reconciliation has successfully improved our society as a whole, and Australia has matured as a nation. Lessons about sustainability in Australia have been adopted from our first people into the whole, and as a nation, we are looking after country.
And that's my daydream currently. It's a future I think is worth fighting for.
I'd really like this to be something that people think about- what do you want your world to look like? Instead of accepting the injustice which really is all around us, question it, and speak up!
And how could we achieve our sustainable dreams? well, I think it's all about making connections and strengthening local communities- as the saying goes- thinking globally, acting locally, and participating personally. (Though there's nothing against acting globally as well, through extensive online activism!).
Thanks for reading!
Recent Comments