Birmingham needs to get involved.
After the colossal letdown of the Earth Hour campaign, Birmingham needs to up its game in the environmental sector.
With the World Environment Day just around the corner (5th June 2009) Birmingham needs to strike now.
An overwhelming amount of internet activity has picked up the campaign, but will the council, local residents and even organisations climb on board?
As the days dwindle down, local West Midland residents need to make sure they are doing their part to tackle the increasingly detrimental problem of climate change.
Online groups, such as Everywun or UNEPandYOU, present everyone with an opportunity to take part in the build up to the campaign.
From following the groups on Twitter or signing up to a newsletter, we can help protect the environment without leaving the comfort of our own homes.
But is that enough?
Where the council failed to act in the Earth Hour campaign, perhaps we should step up and take control of the next environmental campaign.
If small groups or communities contribute to the cause we can, collectively, make a big impact. From simply pledging to walk everywhere on the 5th June to actively getting involved in the garden we can make sure Birmingham leaves with its reputation intact.
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Sorry, but who cares about Birmingham’s reputation? Reputation counts for nothing in the face of environmental catastrophe.
In December this year, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen to follow up the Kyoto agreement and it still looks likely that not enough will be done as the politicos continue to flirt with the fallacies of emissions trading and offsetting rather than looking at actual change.
Effort should be put into raising awareness of the environment on a daily basis, not just one day each year. I understand the idea that twenty-four hours of concerted action can highlight the cause, but how many people reverted to leaving their lights and electrical equipment on after Earth Hour? We need changes in lifestyles, changes in energy policies, sustainable development and so on to happen now.
We need a World Environment Day every day.
Of course we need a World Environment Day every day, but taking small steps one at a time is still heading in the right direction.
If we sit back and wait for those “in power” to decide how and when we combat climate change, do you really think we’ll see any difference in our lifetimes?
Bringing up the repuation of Birmingham and the council’s lack of contributions towards environmental campaigns and issues is a step forward in getting the councils to take action.
We need to get the small men on board before we tackle the giants.