Can individuals make a difference?
Research into changes in scientific theories shows that change starts slowly, grows to a peak and then tails off.
In other words, a few innovators start the new idea off, and then slowly but surely more and more people commit to the new idea. After some time, a tipping point is reached, when a landslide occurs. Then it slows again to the last few die-hards who refuse to accept the new idea.
Acceptance of Climate Change has followed this pattern.
Acceptance of Peak Oil is currently following this pattern.
And individual action to reduce oil dependency and carbon emissions will, too.
SEVEN BUTS
There are barriers that delay most people when they think about doing something in the way of a Transition Initiative.
#1. But we’ve got no funding…
#2. But they won’t let us…
#3. But there are already green groups in this town, I don’t want to step on their toes…
#4. But no one in this town cares about the environment anyway…
#5. But surely it’s too late to do anything…?
#6. But I don’t have the right qualifications…
#7. But I don’t have the energy for doing that!
[Details on each of these available here]
Slowly but surely more and more people are seeing the common sense in preparing for the inevitable. Saving money, feeling more secure in a changing environment and enjoying a change of lifestyle are all becoming acceptable - even fashionable. When the tipping point is reached, everyone will want to join the movement.
It HAS already started!
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October 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am
[…] and awareness programmes, maybe the one person will become two, will become four, will become ten. Everything starts with the individual. Everything starts off small. This should not despair us in our attempts to spread the knowledge on […]