Let's consider three different
approaches to making a difference to our everyday lives. The first
two are commonly used and discussed and sometimes are heard head to
head in argument or debate; the individual versus the collective
approach. The assumption is that the individual and group actions
being discussed are engaged in trying to do the best things, as they
see them, to improve quality of life and taking a responsible
attitude towards both present and future in order to maintain a
sustainable planet. I shall take three topics that impact on our
daily lives and attempt to demonstrate why it is the third approach
which can be the only one to make a real and measurable difference
for the majority of the planet and for the planet itself.
Use of plastics:
Individuals accept personal
responsibility for restricting their own use of plastics by choices
made when shopping, choosing products with minimal or no packaging,
refusing plastic bags and bottled water, reusing items where possible
and by recycling all waste.
The collective approach does basically
the same things but they also make the decision to go a step further
and actively engage in efforts to persuade others to do the same by
holding protests or rallies to pressure authorities. collecting
signatures, picketing targeted outlets, boycotting certain
manufacturers and generally seeking to be more in the public eye.
Saving energy - use of electricity:
The individual will switch to low
energy bulbs, turn off appliances when not in use, purchase latest
technology fridges, freezers and washing machines and, if the budget
allows, will install alternative energy equipment, all to do their
bit to save money and/or the planet.
The collective approach is to form
large groups which can act together in the group's interest lowering
the cost of purchasing solar power and maybe even selling power back
to the national grid as has happened through Transition Town
initiatives around the world. Other collectives build alternative
communities from scratch using all manner of unusual materials and
recycled stuff with an aim of removing themselves from the grid
totally. Others form yet more pressure groups hoping to change
government policies regarding coal-fired or nuclear power stations,
to stop the building of mega-dams which force hundreds of thousands
off their land as in India and China and 'green' groups around the
world constantly call for clean and renewable energy investment and
jobs.
Carbon emissions and global warming
from transport:
The individual again responds from the
stance of taking personal responsibility, using a bicycle in
preference to a car and public transport rather than owning a
vehicle. Other options include limiting journeys, using 'greener'
fuels or more environmentally friendly vehicles. They will buy in to
carbon credits if purchasing airline tickets, make the journey by
train or even rule out long distance travel altogether
The collective approach is to press for
bicycle lanes in towns, better and cheaper public transport, and they
will lobby and demonstrate against more motorways, runways or new
airports with varying levels of success.
The third approach is the 'Change the
System' or what I'll call the 'Thinking Outside the Box' approach,
little of which is heard of in the mainstream.
Whilst recognising that the efforts
from the first two approaches encompass some very good ideas and that
they can make a difference (but usually not of great
significance globally) what if the global human energy from all these
individual and collective initiatives were to be combined in a single
goal – that of changing the system so that we are able to
effect the kinds of policies that are in the best interests of both
people and planet? Yes, this requires a massive tectonic shift in
thinking for many but let's do it; lets think outside the box and
let's understand what changing the system
means.
Let's consider these three topics,
plastics, electricity and carbon emissions linked to global warming
from outside the box. Outside the box thinking says it's high time to
ditch the vested interests and political bickering about the costs or
appropriateness of the various alternative energy possibilities. Time
to recognise that one size or one model does not suit all situations,
but that capitalist-run energy enterprises organised solely on profit
first principles cannot support a healthy and sustainable
environment. Thinking outside the box says there are better uses for
oil, however much or little of it there is, than making throwaway
plastics. Thinking outside the box says that transport world wide is
hard wired to profit not service whether for passengers or movement
of every single commodity. New roads and airports aren't built for
the public's convenience but for more profit. Terminating the
capitalist system would also terminate millions of unnecessary
profit-seeking business flights and allow us to rethink the wisdom of
air-freighting flowers around the world or transporting tons of dead
chickens to a country that is returning the favour by transporting
their dead chickens to us. There is so much waste in so many areas
simply because profit making is the fundamental principle of the
current system. So much waste too of workers' time engaged in jobs
connected solely with making or handling money instead of useful,
necessary activities to create better functioning societies. With the
profit element removed and the means of production belonging to the
people we can get on with the task of organising our way ahead.
Thinking outside the box requires exchanging this principle which
allows capitalism to work so well for a small minority for a
principle that works for all. It means ridding ourselves of
governments and leaders because they serve the interests of business
not the interests of their electorates and it means welcoming a
totally new paradigm of common ownership giving free access to all.
Thinking outside the box reveals the long term manipulation of the
working class which has subdued many into accepting the harsh
conditions they have lived and worked under for too long. How much
more evidence do we need to know that the capitalist system has
failed us, the vast majority?
Life outside the box will be what we
make it.
JS
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