Think local…

But surely it is a global issue – there are a set of actions to be taken and rules to apply which will make us all more green. Insulate, use low energy bulbs, drive less, cycle more, turn your heating down, build with renewable resources, fly less, reuse and recycle… the list goes on. Green issues are all over the national press in the UK – in most every section of the Sunday papers. The media are to be congratulated on influencing public thought and making such issues mainsteam. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that the ‘nationality’ of it all makes it feel impersonal. Some of the advice just doesn’t seem to apply to me – in my location… and I’m even more aware of what little difference I can make when I look at the steps I can take, in the context of the national picture.

How about this? Treat all that as useful background information – just research fodder. Turn it on its head and think about it as a far more local issue. You’ll be a significant presence in a local community group – the changes you make will really make a difference and be visible. You’ll really feel the motivation and satisfaction. Of course that effect multiplies up so that the community is a far more significant part of the national movement… and so on. Thereby a sense of pride is created around contributions. Not only that – but you’ll also be able to develop and influence local policies and advice around sustainability which is relevant to you and your neighbours.

What does it mean to think locally?

If you live in the country you are likely to need to drive further – but you could plant trees, focus on buying local produce and operate school buses. If you live in the city you can’t plant many trees – but you can use public transport and recycle most things. I live on an island with a ready supply of stone – but no forests – is wood really the most sustainable building material to use? We can’t recycle any plastics except PET bottles here – is it worth sending other plastics away or are they better going to landfill? We do however have plenty of wind of the meteorological variety. But is it the right sort of wind? – is it too strong or too gusty…? We have many aged farmhouses and cottages and even more 50’s and 60’s bungalows – many of which are not cavity built. How do we improve our insulation with locally available materials. Who locally can advise? You see what I mean… I believe local authorities have a responsibility to inform and encourage their populations with realistic and optimal steps towards sustainability.

You might believe that the local media could influence local activities. Sadly – my experience is that the local press generally repeat the national advice and do not strive to increase the relevance to their readership.

What can be done?

Gather expert knowledge: Gather national advice and work out which elements are relevant at all and to what degree they can be effective in the locality.

Gather local knowledge: Supplement this with local knowledge of businesses, materials, lifestyles, economy, geography etc. Refer this back to sustainbility experts where necessary for clarification.

Local communications: Create accessible, usable and attractive communication materials to inform the public and empower them. These could be wall charts, booklets, containers (on recycled and recyclable materials!).

Create targets: People are most motivated when they have a target. I suspect in all this there an opportunity for a competitive streak (against past performance or neighbours / friends). Perhaps games / competitions could be enabled through provision of monitoring systems. If these were standardized across the country this could become a new national sport using handicaps for different areas!

Feed back into policy: All this expert and local knowledge and the newly empowered and effective community should all ultimately drive local government strategic policy changes and improve the opportunities locally.

Anyone want to help in Guernsey? Anyone want to try to start this anywhere else?