How could we encourage a change in behaviour to improve Canberra's sustainability?

Thursday 10 June 2010

Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b64ZYWaGBfQ/SdnqhKKxhsI/AAAAAAAAAVw/HwkMQQ-QiZY/s400/Beliefs.png

Key points of discussion about how we could encourage a change in behaviour to improve Canberra's sustainability included:

AWARENESS

• Shame people
• Create transparency of environmental impact – for example: put water and energy use label on the letterbox
• Move from debating climate change, to debating specific environmental issues that are not up for debate such as water or food scarcity issues
• Shift media from promoting bad news – although this sells
• Change the way we are educated – we need to train the next generations to use resources and shift business-as-usual with vested interest

ECONOMICS

• Deter consumption – 90% of commercial TV sells adds which encourages consumption
• Shift from a consumption-based economy and consume differently – for example: a business model that works is Interface carpets which moved to a carpet laying ‘service’
• Create a cost demand
• Link status with being frugal and reduced energy and water use
• Economic paradigm needs to change - although economics is beginning to force things to change with higher costs
  
• Need to put a cost on the earth and resources
• Need a value to currency link – environmental sensitive to scarcity – price on atmosphere

POLITICS

• Change to a 4 year term for politicians
  
• Update constitution to include a sustainability framework, extended term for politicians with how to get rid of people in power if necessary.
• Need to question – what do we want from our leaders?