We got the POWER

There are many environmental issues that have come about due to the realisation of the concept of global warming, for example recycling, using low emission cars and using sustainable methods of transport. So how can individuals make a difference and if they can to what extent is it.

Obviously it would depend on the subject that the individual is trying to make a difference in, but in this case its sustainable development. I don't think that individuals have the power to make a direct difference, but they do make a indirect one. The fact that they can influence people around them would make an indirect difference. For example when this university didn't have separate coloured bins for different kind of rubbish. When you had to go to the bottle bank the individual that would go wouldn't make a difference on a worldwide scale but could influence people to do the same. It was these individuals that properly helped towards us getting the coloured recycling bins. so i would say its a indirect difference at the time.

Numbers count for example the other day when 49 protesters trespassed the 3rd biggest airport in England Stanstead and held it to a standstill and lead to more than 50 cancellations. They were protesting against the use of planes, and how bad they are to the environment. Say if 1 person tried to storm the airport they would have got arrested almost straight away, when there were 49 they made a difference. The individual does not have the power to make a direct difference unless they are in a situation of power. For example the sustainability officer at Northampton Uni decisions make a difference towards sustainability development. So overall i belive that if you want to make a difference you need to have a big group with a good plan to make a difference.