Geez, all this high end, expensive research and measuring to collect data that merely boils down to saying the sky is falling. OK, now we know how are children are going to die, so let's live now.
Tim, I was thinking about this overnight. For myself climate is not an issue on which I feel I can make any difference.
The risk we run is being immobilised by helplessness. There are other issues we can work on so future generations won't say we sat on our hands.
Two things I feel I could generate some movement on are the use of palm oil and RoundUp, so I've started with the latter, looking for ways we can engage with each other here and build our networks and strength. You may get some ideas of your own if I may try your patience and outline the strategy.
I began with my local church. They are a national organisation so have ready made connections. I wrote an article on the thinking behind herbicides to radicalise the parish, and the upshot was that a group was formed.
Others from the wider community got involved and we began by drawing lessons from the failure of the climate change movement. We published the relevant studies on glyphosate on the parish website. Aware that nobody would wade through that stuff, and that personal stories work better, we made a poster with the headline "How safe is RoundUp?" with the sub-heading "Monsanto claim RoundUp is safe. Here's what they said about DDT" Underneath is an advert from the 1950s for DDT wallpaper for a child's bedroom. Guaranteed non hazardous.
We are working with the local council and I see no reason change won't happen.
FYI, here is an analysis of why the climate change movement failed, from the point of view of what should have been done:
1_ Consider whose wallets will be most affected if your campaigns are successful. If it is only those on low wages then rethink. Aim to offer something for everyone with no single social class carrying all the costs.
2_ Avoid making entire sectors of the economy feel threatened. Make room for exceptions. Not every farmer uses poisons. Offer positive steps for change.
3_ Avoid a campaign based on "don't". People get fed up and leave. To engage people you need to offer them something to look forward to. This can be better times or blood, sweat and tears and a long struggle, but make sure you carry a vision of a better world.
4_ A campaign only led by scientists will be limited. Scientific thinking is one reason we are where we are.
5_ Avoid developing a culture of intolerance which refuses to acknowledge differences of opinion over questions of long term planning, tactics, and who has the "truth".
6_ Aim for goals that are attainable not evangelical.
7_ Be wary of engaging with party politicians. Supporting one party over another has doomed many a campaign.
8_ Stick to your purpose to conserve your resources and energy; let others help your campaign, avoid helping other people's campaigns.
9_ You cannot do everything. You may be attacked you for using a car or buying imported chocolate. There is no such thing as being compromise free.
10_ "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
"Gift us with that light-heartedness of those who know that every cause of ours that is good is
Yours before it is ours.” Fr. Richard John Neuhaus talking to God.
“Angels fly because they can take themselves lightly.” G. K. Chesterton
David