A lesson from the G20 - to save the environment, get shopping | Matthew Taylor's blog

All the politicians and advisors I have spoken to recently about prospects for the Copenhagen climate change summit have been pessimistic. Not only are there the usual issues between the already developed and the developing nations (which are currently resurfacing at the UN climate change talks in Bonn), but with energy consumption and oil prices down because of the recession there is also a danger of complacency.

Indeed, for the environmentalists who protested against the G20 and the grossly inadequate response of global leaders to climate change, there is a bitter irony. If the global economy does not pick up, popular enthusiasm for international agreements will fade, climate change will look less important as a threat and action to tackle it unaffordable; the Copenhagen moment will pass and who knows when another opportunity for real concerted action will come.

So, far from rejoicing in the collapse of global capitalism, if you are green you should be praying for a return to growth. In fact, forget recycling, the greenest thing to do right now is to dust off the credit card and get out there shopping.

Smarter [climate scam promotion] needed

Source: European Commission, Environment DG
...
In the UK, for example, three quarters of people believe that making changes to their travel habits, such as flying or driving less, will have a 'medium or major impact' on reducing the nation's carbon footprint. Yet only a third are willing to adopt these measures, and even fewer think that the public as a whole will do so...
...
Instead of 'forcing' people to go green, say the researchers, we should be emphasising the local and personal benefits of climate change mitigation. This includes the financial savings associated with energy efficiency measures, as well as improved personal fitness and air quality due to reduced reliance on transport.