In order to reach community goals, local governments and community groups have to work hard to influence/engage the people. It’s very important to start with groups/networks already existing in the community; reinventing the wheel takes up precious time. Every group has their own purpose, intents and reasons why they are a group. The key thing here is to take the common passions/desires from each group and form one large sustainability group that meets the purpose, intents, and needs of the community. To change behaviours one could simply use compliance as a quick fix. For example, we could make a law saying vehicle owners can only drive every other day. This would definitely reduce carbon emissions but wouldn’t make anyone happy. They would eventually leave the community. In order to change the attitudes of the people, persuasion is often used. Persuasion, although difficult, wins the hearts and minds of people and lasts the longest if performed properly. The five tools of persuasion are Reciprocation, Consistency, Social Proof, Scarcity, Liking, and Authority. One must ask themselves what the receiver is thinking. Is the message acceptable?understood? David Suzuki is one of my favorite educators because he has the ability of translating the message so that everyone can understand it (i.e. Nature of Things).
The way we communicate and the choice of words we use can influence people tremendously. One of the best examples of this is when hotels ask customers to consider reusing their towels. Instead of using “Help save the environment” a hotel should use “Join your fellow citizens in helping saving the environment”. Although it’s tacky, it works. People want to feel they are a part of something good, and they are more willing to do it if others are included. I believe we are slowly moving to a more environmentally accepting society where being green will be the cool thing to do. Taking care of the environment will be the norm. Things like recycling, composting, and conscious consumerism are going to become second nature to all. I think this green revolution/movement (however you want to coin it) is just in its beginning stages. Although this is taking a while, people are slooowly starting to change.
"The key thing here is to take the common passions/desires from each group and form one large sustainability group that meets the purpose, intents, and needs of the community." Fair comment,Steve, but there also is a value in lots of groups working on different areas of concern, and not worrying about trying to coordinate really large groups. You mention not reinventing the wheel, but as one of my dear colleagues used to say, everyone has the right to invent their own wheel, and the wheel we want to work with is one that we have had some say in the creation of!
ReplyDelete"I think this green revolution/movement (however you want to coin it) is just in its beginning stages. Although this is taking a while, people are slooowly starting to change."
Things are beginning to change, and we have to work towards maintaining that momentum. As H.G. Wells said, "History is a race between education and catastrophe."
Weekdays are hectic, so slow down and take a group cooking or baking lesson.
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