It can be challenging at times to understand the motives of those in a position of power such as our Governments, but then maybe they do not have as much power as they would like us to believe. The role of large corporations and banks has been brought into the spotlight even more than usual recently and, as individuals and ‘consumers’, we have the choice over whether we collude with the less ethical companies to a great extent. Whilst our hands are tied on some aspects of our lives, there are still plenty of constructive and positive moves we can make, examples of which are given in the Ecologist article I quoted and which I hope some will find useful.

But it’s going to be an uphill struggle isn’t it? How do we convince people that perhaps we can live with less than we’re used to and it will do wonders for us and the planet? That adopting a more traditional way of life, the family unit (whichever type of family unit that may be) , small scale farming, local produce, supplemented by home grown items, giving up the quick meals and meals on the go, not insisting on travelling long distances unless necessary, giving up the car or driving a lot less, giving up the package holidays etc will be a more wholesome life? Trouble is people feel entitled to it now, without thinking almost.

Then on a larger scale we have rather un-progressive Governments that make the changes we want to see happen doubly difficult and in fact impossible for the poorest of us. Those who are homeless or living hand to mouth aren’t gonna be thinking of these things. It all seems set up wrong to me. Even my family unit, while we’ve made huge leaps forward in becoming a more sustainable, planet friendly family, we still are tied to the banks, the mortgage, not leading our lives as simply and as compassionately as we would like etc. You make a good point about ‘being’ first though, because we’ve discovered that that is where the real change comes from, not half fulfilled promises to ourselves. We’ve had to make sacrifices at least monetarily for the changes we have made. Though gained in many other ways! People are scared I think to live with less money, less junk, less stuff. That somehow reverting back to a more simplistic life is backwards and will end up with women slaving in the home again. I don’t think so, not if it’s done in the right way and an aware and egalitarian way. A society where families are supported (including single parents and those with disabilities and extra responsibilities such as care of an elderly relative). Redistribution of wealth, return to local small scale farming, good social housing, green jobs and sustainable jobs. If people are treated well, they feel a part of society, they are well, then society will be well. The opposite is obvious. But I speak to members of my family that still couldn’t let go of the idea that wealth and status is everything. They love us, but tend to think we’re a bit bonkers! I guess as Gandhi said and is mentioned above, ‘we have to be the change that we want to see in the world’. Nobody said it was going to be quick or easy. I feel a shift coming in our human consciousness, but I catch myself thinking dare I hope or will those short sighted and greedy win out again? Perhaps I should be more positive?