Sunday 9 August 2020

The cancer of consumption and #COVID19

We live in a consumer-capitalist society. Consumption drives our economy. That is why the Tory government is so anxious to return to 'normality', to get people back to work, commuting and buying their lunches at Pret a Manger. But the Coronavirus crisis has given us a different perspective. During the lockdown, many people were able to spend quality time with their children, they walked and cycled instead of driving, and looked for open spaces where they could hear the birds sing and commune with nature. They spent less and saved money. There were some big downsides, some people were unable to see their families, some people were cooped up in small flats and rented accommodation, others were trapped in abusive relationships. 

But the lockdown and its aftermath have given many people a different perspective on life - on what really matters - families, friends, communities and the value of nature. I heard on Radio 4 today that there is an exodus from London. People who can afford to are moving to the countryside so that they can have larger gardens and be closer to nature. It's fine if you can afford it but there is much more we could do to make cities and suburbs nature friendly. We can green our cities if we chose to. We can create spaces for community gardens, grow food, plant many more trees, we can generate clean energy, and we can give priority to cyclists and pedestrians over motor vehicles.

But back to consumption. Because it's consumption that is driving global warming and the climate crisis. Its consumption that is killing the planet and it needs to be reduced. Yesterday the last remaining Canadian ice shelf, the size of Manhattan,  collapsed into the sea. There have been record high temperatures in the Arctic and Siberia. Global warming is accelerating and we may be reaching a tipping point.

On my street, we are lucky enough to have a coronavirus support group. Now that the crisis has eased the conversation in the group has turned to growing food and reuse. Lots of people are giving away plants, vegetables, and things they no longer need. There are books and DVDs but also cabinets, duvets, and even washing machines. How good is this? It very good and if this could be replicated nationally it would lessen our need to consume. It needs to become the new normal. There is a huge amount of 'value' which we routinely discard and that needs to stop.

Part of the problem is that it is difficult to imagine a better world. Transition founder Rob Hopkin's excellent and inspirational book - From What Is to What If - shows how we can do this. The book shows how to overcome the barriers in our thinking, and how to improve our imagination and creativity. It is full of ideas and examples and is a must-read.
Covid19 is a threat but it is also an opportunity to change the way we live. Many have been talking about building back better - moving to a cleaner, greener more inclusive society with good public services. The government will do its damndest to return us to where we were before the lockdown but I'm hoping that attitudes are shifting. The government will not deal with the cancer of consumption and the climate crisis because that is a threat to the profits of its donors and supporters. But we need to be active and keep up the pressure, and there is a lot we can do at a local level to improve community resilience and health and wellbeing, and build stronger local economies. There are already many good things happening. If you want to know more take a look at the Transition Network

It's not only The Transition Network which is building a better future. There are hundreds of groups around the UK working on solidarity, mutual aid, growing local food, local currencies,  economic democracy, climate action, and community energy projects. Free your imagination, join in and build back better!

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