Notes from a session held at the Luminous Green Retreat, 28th of April 2007
Consider Life Span
Overall energy balance = relative concept
Acoustic spectrum of new forests as compared to old growth
Cotton → natural fabric, yet causes many other environmental problems
No simple equation between natural & ecological
Core Criteria for a Green world → BioDiversity
Low level → indication of overfed (capitalist) system
Biological diversity in 'low nutrient environments'
Surges of nutrients → emergence of monocultures
Consumption has to be reduced
Expecting growth of 'green collar' jobs for in service industries (USA)
NZ project which present power consumption of cities on TV
designing games to encourage agency re. these
deceleration
how to counter idea of exponential growth / constant acceleration
how to 'justify doing less'
doing less → ephemeralization
how to change a neo-liberal economic system
offer choice, as cheap as possible
tyranny of choice
gradual persuasion rather than revolution
evolutionary strategies
augmented with intelligence / education
debates now on the table re. agricultural methods, biofuels, etc+
a lot of behind the scenes action
persuasion through branding /design/etc+
human perspective
“If it can be measured it can be managed”
Measuring is the key concept, this makes energy use visible and motivates people because they see the direct result of their actions
Awareness raising at any level is important and necessary
From measurement to understanding
Ad-hoc social enforcement
Making a step by step change
Responsive environments → reinforcing sense of agency → feedback
First step to any change is awareness,
We need a paradigm shift (ongoing in US at local level)
Green products: success depends on good design & comfort
Inner Consciousness has to be developed worldwide - education is crucial
“finding ways back to other species”
Many small efforts → don't underestimate the effects of these
constituents → shareholders → consumers, etc+
gradual infiltration of conversations
moral / 'holier than thou'
vernacular values
gradual reinforcement
personal consumption becoming public →
300 cities in USA have agreed to meet kyoto requirements
much more low level, local activities
What lifestyle do you want to maintain? - at what cost…
Recognize interconnectedness - reciprocal relationship with environment rather than consumption only.
From fundamental disconnection → fundamental interconnectedness
Environmentalism as enlightened self-interest
In field of design, the word ìethicalî has been hijacked (strong growth of 'green' shops (organic food…) Ethics as a philosophical → marketing phrase
bedzed (bioregional)/ zed factory
how has it progressed, are they willing to bring in new technology?
you can't “just despise the national grid”
how does a pilot project scale?
reduced power consumption - 1/5th of avg. uk homes.
city planning
minority opinion re. most efficiency can be gained by knocking down all the houses an beginning again
balance in an ecosystem →
climate change has overtaken environmental debates
smaller initiatives
culture of decelleration →
many initiatives are dealing with issues on the surface,
not connected to the biosphere
linearity of cause and effect.. .
the mindset 'we' are in is not those that are necessary to address these problems
civilization as degrees of separation
difference between raising awareness about issues/ connectedness and imposing ideologies
High-brow people from the '1st' world talking of energy issues:
some decadence involved when 'feeling guilty using a hair dryer'
Often ppl who 'use most' have the least shame/guilt about their use
Seeing where one sits, within a whole → aspiration rather than guilt
Challenges of emerging nations, how they fit into an emerging regulators system
How does the 'developed world' sit at the table / tell others how to live, without taking serious changes to our own lifestyles.
Sources {incomplete}
