From the recent webinar I attended, Globescan released its result on the factors that prohibit us from living a more sustainable life style and they boiled it down to 2 reasons: high cost and lack of support from government and businesses [1].
The Gap: Intention vs. Action
The results came from surveying 25,000 people across 25 countries. Only 54% of those say that living in a way that's good for the environment and the community is a priority, and only 37% revealed that they are "mostly" actively living that way. The study shows that there is a gap between intent and action. All good faith somehow have gone out of the window when come buying time. Even I can attest to this myself. When comparing organic from chemical laden produce, I tend to buy the usual produce as the organic ones are 2 times if not 3 times more expensive. A huge number of items in the grocery stores and convenience stores are packed with plastic. When left with fewer options it is easier to just go with whatever is available. And I believe this is also the predicament of many people.
Challenges in all Levels
The unwillingness of individuals to take on a more eco friendly lifestyle, the inability of large companies to shift quickly to a more eco-friendly way of packing and processing their products and the difficulty of small entrepreneurs to compete with larger brands in the grocery or supermarket business game like shelving location, bulk orders as well as brand familiarity are the gridlocks for change. I believe good intention to switch to better system is there but the gap between between intention and implementation in all levels still exists and is undeniable.
Possible Solutions
Research of Michael Howes, an associate professor in Environmental studies in Griffith University shows that the recurring problems on sustainable initiatives are because of economic, political and communication. And can only be fixed if the government will give financial incentives for organization switching to become more eco friendly, giving a transition pathway to industries which have most damage to environment, and lastly that the leaders of all sectors need to understand and be educated on the urgency of climate change and the possibility of an honest sustainable development.[2]
Call for Leadership
Noticeably, there is a huge role that the government plays in providing solutions for such problems. Only when leaders become more open to conversations on solving problems on climate change can the healing of this world starts. When legislations and laws are placed to make these sustainable transitions possible and easier in all levels, then the gap between intention and action can be bridged faster.
[1] Globescan 2019. High Cost and Lack of support are key barriers to more healthy and sustainable living. Globescan accessed 30 September 2019. <https://globescan.com/healthy-sustainable-living-report-2019/>
[2] Howes, Nelson 2017. After 25 years of trying, why aren't we environmentally stable yet?, The Conversation, accessessed 25 September 2019 <https://theconversation.com/after-25-years-of-trying-why-arent-we-environmentally-sustainable-yet-73911>
The Gap: Intention vs. Action
The results came from surveying 25,000 people across 25 countries. Only 54% of those say that living in a way that's good for the environment and the community is a priority, and only 37% revealed that they are "mostly" actively living that way. The study shows that there is a gap between intent and action. All good faith somehow have gone out of the window when come buying time. Even I can attest to this myself. When comparing organic from chemical laden produce, I tend to buy the usual produce as the organic ones are 2 times if not 3 times more expensive. A huge number of items in the grocery stores and convenience stores are packed with plastic. When left with fewer options it is easier to just go with whatever is available. And I believe this is also the predicament of many people.
Challenges in all Levels
The unwillingness of individuals to take on a more eco friendly lifestyle, the inability of large companies to shift quickly to a more eco-friendly way of packing and processing their products and the difficulty of small entrepreneurs to compete with larger brands in the grocery or supermarket business game like shelving location, bulk orders as well as brand familiarity are the gridlocks for change. I believe good intention to switch to better system is there but the gap between between intention and implementation in all levels still exists and is undeniable.
Possible Solutions
Research of Michael Howes, an associate professor in Environmental studies in Griffith University shows that the recurring problems on sustainable initiatives are because of economic, political and communication. And can only be fixed if the government will give financial incentives for organization switching to become more eco friendly, giving a transition pathway to industries which have most damage to environment, and lastly that the leaders of all sectors need to understand and be educated on the urgency of climate change and the possibility of an honest sustainable development.[2]
Call for Leadership
Noticeably, there is a huge role that the government plays in providing solutions for such problems. Only when leaders become more open to conversations on solving problems on climate change can the healing of this world starts. When legislations and laws are placed to make these sustainable transitions possible and easier in all levels, then the gap between intention and action can be bridged faster.
[1] Globescan 2019. High Cost and Lack of support are key barriers to more healthy and sustainable living. Globescan accessed 30 September 2019. <https://globescan.com/healthy-sustainable-living-report-2019/>
[2] Howes, Nelson 2017. After 25 years of trying, why aren't we environmentally stable yet?, The Conversation, accessessed 25 September 2019 <https://theconversation.com/after-25-years-of-trying-why-arent-we-environmentally-sustainable-yet-73911>
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