It's not just "environmental" anymore
Why, for instance, is a human-made phenomenon like global warming - which may kill hundreds of millions of human beings over the next century - considered “environmental”? Why are poverty and war not considered environmental problems while global warming is?
-The Death of Environmentalism, via how to save the world
Yesterday we seem to have somewhat solidified our thesis topic. Today, I come across the Change This manifesto quoted above. Of course it should be no surprise that they are related -if there is one thing I learned this year, it is how to view the world and recognize that everything is related.
Our current questions is:
How can a strategic planning process effectivly increase individuals' ability to identify actions that move them toward sustainability?
At it's most basic form, the study will involve taking a sample of people who are asking themselves, regarding the environment "But what can I do?". We will have them list the actions they can currently identify which they feel they can realistically take to move toward a sustainable world. I suspect that many people's actions will center mainly on "purely environmental" issues, such as global warming or clean water.
Some of the respondents would then be taken through a strategic thinking or planning process which entails
- Understanding the system
- Identifying values / vision
- Taking a look at their current lifestyle and choices in relation to that vision
- Identifying measures they could take that would move them closer to alignment with those values and vision.
I am hoping that what seems obvious to me is true, that actively and consciously taking themselves through such a process will greatly increase the number of steps they can identify for their own life. The question is what is the best way to take people through the process, considering that people are not companies.
I think we will ask them to identify measures after each step of the process. It will be interesting to see where the major increase in awareness of their own potential will come. I would guess that, if done right, it would come right in the first two stages... understanding the system, and understanding ones own values, which, in my mind, brings us back to the quote above. If people understand the system, and are able to realize the connection between "pure environment" issues, and everything else, the number of actions they identify will increase simply because they now realize that it is not just about turning off the lights, but that every action they take is related to everything else. The second factor I expect may have an effect, would be a greater understanding of their own values and a vision of where they want to be. In theory, this should allow them to see that life-changing actions which they previously saw as impossible, or not worth it, will suddenly fall within the realm of reality. The other two steps are simply formalities which may be more helpful in large organizations than in individuals.
While we are painfully aware of the time and resource constraints we are under, we would love to be able to facilitate the strategic thinking / planning process through a variety of delivery methods. Some individually, some in groups, some as a family, some online, online in groups, etc... to find out just what works best.
Anyone want to take part or have any suggestions?