EcoTeam or Eco Dream?

I must say the idea of the Ecoteam sounded a good one and as Tom demonstrated on Wednesday there are a number of benefits associated with the concept, for example it provides a framework, offers mutual support, helps information to be shared, sets targets and measures against these. However, as Tom also pointed out, there are challenges with the concept.

As I mentioned on Wednesday there are parallels between the EcoTeam idea and various change management projects I have worked on. Typically these involve setting up and training teams of employees from across the organisation and tasking them with identifying issues and problems, nmainly with business processes, and putting forward potential solutions. In my experience they are are very good at motivating individuals and do deliver real benefits. But they are usually unable to deal with the really big issues that will deliver the really big benefits be that a different organisation structure or a new IT system. These issues only get dealt with if they have a champion at the Board Room Table. My guess is that EcoTeams will have similar challenges - they'll get individuals to recycle, maybe insulate the house but are unlikely to be able (in the short term at least) to change local transport infrastructure to reduce car use.

Is there anything to be learnt from history on how revolutionary groups spread the gospel, and their success or otherwise in doing this? My history is a bit rusty but I seem to recall that in Czarist Russia revolutionary groups invested alot of effort trying to politicise the serfs but with little success. What led to change was the effect of war and food shortage. Going back further in time, Christianity was an underground movement for many years and only became the official religion of the Roman Empire because the soon to be Emperor had dream/vision on the eve of a victorious battle, not because the early Christians convinced the majority of the popualtion that their religion was a good thing. I would be would be interested to hear whether anyone is aware of where movements have succeeded in creating change from within and how they went about doing it.

So in conclusion, I think that EcoTeams could have a role to play in accelerating changes in individual behaviours and lifestyles but are unlikely to change the systems and structures that need to be changed at the rate required.

Promoting sustainable consumption through a high profile organisation

Unfortunately I missed last weeks lecture. When I saw the question I did toy with the idea of picking the Cabinet or Royal Family.! However, I finally decided to plump for the BBC on the basis that any successful revolution gets control of the main media channel to control information flow!) In all seriousness there are a few reasons why:
1. It's trusted by most people
2. It's in every home
3. It would be very easy to report on progress
4. It would be good at getting the value add messages across
5. It would be easy to involve celebs who, like it or not, are opinion formers for a proportion of the population.
6.It would be easy to involve local communities in sustainable consumption initiatives
In terms of activity.... First establish the BBC's carbon footprint and identify areas that need to be tackled. Next how these are going to be dealt with. Then track progress through programmes, news bulletins. You could have competitions between regions, showcase viewers initiatives etc

Tim Jackson in London

Hi guys,

Somwhere between finishing my book review, starting the science of climate change assignment, entertaining my brother and attending a Granta Housing Society Board Awayday I found time to whizz down to London on Tuesday and hear Tim Jackson speak.

I have to say he was an inspiring speaker - do go and see him if you get the chance. Not surprisingly he talked about Prosperity Without Growth, a document that in his words merely starts the debate and shows there are no easy answers. During his 45 minute presentation he went through the problems that exist with our current economic model before talking about ecological economics and the steps we need to take to move to a sustainable economy- establish the limits,fix the economics and change the social logic (which requires a shift from individual to collective leadership). I think the first two are (relatively) easy and at least in part are progressing. Changing individuals' mindsets and behaviours is undoubtedly the greater challenge.

The Board meeting the following day was a dose of the real world, exploring how a not-for-profit organisation can deal with the credit crunch. Interestingly Granta have invested in a number of low energy housing developments so I'm going to visit one or two of these in the coming months.

Finally, there's an interesting debate starting on electric cars and whether they will have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas (the argument being no if all we do is build more coal and oil fired power stations to generate the electricty to power the cars. There's also some loophole in EU legislation allowing car companies to buildmore SUVs as they build more electric cars ) - see today's Independent or listen to Radio 5 Live for further info.

'Bye for now
Kev

Woolly Thinking (x2)

Hi guys,

I've had my brother staying with me this weekend. He and his wife have recently launched a wool shop that sources all it's products from suatainable sources. So, if you are thinking of taking up knitting but don't want to buy that nasty Aussie wool that gets shipped halfway around the world, or you're searching for Xmas presents, or are just interested in their proposition have a look their website (unfortunately you can't yet order on-line)

http://www.woolly-thinking.co.uk/

A different type of woolly thinking.... I just had a leaflet through from Breckland Council telling me the only plastic they want in the recycle bin are plastic bottles (minus the tops!). So, all those yoghurt cups and food trays with a recycle symbol on them have to go in the landfill bag? This contrasts with Woking Council who wanted all plastic plus glass in the recycle bin. In South Norfolk I'm told what's allowed in the recycle bin is different again....Why can't we have a nationwide set of standards for recycling rather than this confusing patchwork? And is Breckland the only council in the country where the green wheelie bin is for landfill and the 'green' recyling bin is black?!

Case Study: On-Line Farmers' Market

I'm going to have a look at the development of the Farmers' Market focusing on , an on-line farmers' market, Norfolk and Suffolk Local Food Direct, that has recently been set up in south Norfolk.
If you are interested, have a look at www.welovelocalfood.co.uk