Achieving a mandate for action in Copenhagen.

For those actively interested and involved in climate change issues it is sometimes easy to forget that the majority of individuals are decidedly less animated by the subject. A  poll conducted by Ipsos Mori in June 2007 for instance, found that 56% of those interviewed believed scientists were still questioning climate change, and that the problem was exaggerated to make money. It also found that "terrorism, graffiti, crime and dog mess" were all of more concern than global warming. (BBC). Two years on one gets the sense that little has changed. Certainly, people are aware of the climate change debate on an abstract level, but if the vast majority were asked what was happening in Copenhagen in December only a small percentage would be able to tell you. The problem is that while there is broad consensus among the scientific and international community, the general public remain detached from the issue.

Why?
In my view, it is less a matter of apathy than it is of ignorance about the severity of the threat. The degree of urgency expressed by scientists, politicians and environmentalists at the global level is failing to translate down to the man on the street. This, it appears, is in part a conscious decision. At a conference I attended on Climate Change in June the common view was that "scaring the public" would only lead to a paralysis of fear. As such, reforms are being brought in that produce carbon reductions without the individual necessarily having any understanding of (or interest in) the issue of climate change. On one hand this is positive, in that people are integrating carbon friendly changes into their lives without a major sacrifice. On the other hand, unless someone actively chooses to educate themselves on the topic, they are likely to be ill-informed and inactive.


This is problematic for several reasons, not least because as long as the electorate and consumer remain lukewarm on the subject of climate change so too will political and business leaders. Until decision makers believe they have a mandate to act they won't. Not with any conviction anyway. Based on this can we realistically expect a robust outcome from Copenhagen when the majority of the population are unaware that the conference is taking place, and have little (if any) interest in its outcomes? Probably not. If however, there was strong, and widespread support among individuals it would be difficult for the leadership not to seek a solid framework. 

For this reason, rather than simply debating among ourselves, those of us who view a comprehensive deal in December as critical must try to get the word out. We can do this by getting involved in campaigns, speaking with our friends and neighbours, writing letters to our MPs, and launching petitions. We can also lead by example, and make changes in our own lives. Rather than maintaining climate change as an intellectual debate we need to ensure that information on the topic is more widely disseminated, and that people understand (really understand) why it's important for them to get involved. Even more importantly we have to make sure that our politicians and businesses have a clear mandate to take action on our behalf.


Want to get actively involved? Here are some useful links:

Campaigns

Campaign against Climate Change 
Friends of the Earth 
Greenpeace  
Global Climate Campaign 

Check your footprint
ACT ON CO2 (UK specific)

Carbon Footprint Calculator


Make a change in your own life...

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My Carbon Savings