‘What’s the point in getting people to make small changes in their lifestyles if they (or others) still fly?’

This is a question I was asked recently and it’s a difficult one to answer because it requires a bit of ‘thinking outside the box’.

The whole point in setting up the BGI was, and still is, to try and open doors that had previously been firmly shut - and to try and inspire people to change their behaviour by tackling the problem from a different angle. Whilst some of us are already beginning to rise to the enormous and urgent challenges we face and have begun to make changes, others are still oblivious to the urgency. However, I don’t think it helps the situation to frighten people by showing them what the future holds unless we are also prepared to take them by the hand and offer them guidance so they feel they are able to do something to help.

I have spoken with many people after they have watched some of the excellent environmental films being shown this year, and some of them have been very frightened.  Fear is not always a good motivator and can paralyse some people into complete inertia, so I think it’s important when we show these films that we have someone on hand afterwards to reassure people that it’s not too late to do something…and most importantly to show them where they can begin to make changes.

The BGI works at a ‘grass roots’ level by inspiring people to make small changes. We don’t ignore or hide the truth of the enormity of the problems facing us, but we do believe small changes lead to bigger changes - and any change in behaviour is better than no change at all.

So, whilst we are showing people chemical free skin care products, we talk about the damage chemicals are doing to both our health and the health of the environment; whilst people handle beautiful textiles made from hemp, nettle, bamboo and banana fibre, we talk to them about the environmental and human price of cotton production; and whilst children pedal furiously to make a pedal powered smoothie, we talk to them about food miles, freedom foods, fair trade and organic growing.

Our way is one of ‘gentle action’ - and I truly believe it makes a difference.

When someone opens their eyes or their heart to the impacts their everyday decisions are having on people in developing countries, or on the flora and fauna in their own back gardens, they are likely to want to make changes - and once you take that first step it is almost impossible to go back.

We get plenty of feedback from people who visit the bus or attend one of our talks or courses, and one of the most noticeable things people say is ‘I can’t believe I didn’t know that…and I can’t believe how easy it is to do something about it!’ So, by talking to individuals about some of the smaller changes they can make and by encouraging them to at least get on the first step of the ladder, I believe the BGI and other organisations like ours help to break down some of the barriers that exist, and that we have an important, albeit small, part to play in raising awareness and effecting behavioural change.

Brigit

P.S. Here’s a link to a lovely story about a humming bird…. http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/dnp/sub1.asp?subnav=1&ipage=hummingbird

Plus a link to an article in Resurgence Magazine by David Peat about ‘Gentle Action’... http://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article2772-Gentle-Action.html