Widening the net
Weymouth College, Fish Sculpture crafted from tin cans.
Photo front facing - query - AI image (?), sourced from Meta - Facebook.
Currently writing this on board a ship, experiencing new horizons literally. I was thinking of the sea, fishing and the need to cast one’s campaign or teaching net as widely as possible, which means in this context appealing to the widest possible audience.
Conservationists do often tend to frame what they say as though they were preaching to the converted. Those of us whose interest is already piqued may respond to messages based around fear and trepidation and hard cold facts and slogans like, “Only one week to sign this petition or donate to Sea Shepherd”. However, one can understand people switching off when they mainly hear messages heightening the sense of alarm and urgency. The social justice message that we are destroying the world for future generations may be effective in some contexts and the younger generation concur on this - but this message may not interest their parents whose priorities are elsewhere - in survival for today mode, with children living at home, longer because of steep inflation.
There is a concept coined by Bjarke Ingels (founder of BIG) - Hedonistic Sustainability which signals that we can derive greater happiness from living sustainably than not. An example is BIG’s Waste to Energy Plant whereby waste is converted in to clean steam inside a man-made mountain, whilst also supplying a dry ski slope, climbing wall, and hiking trail for residents of Copenhagen.
This is more about clever technologies than behaviour change, nevertheless, the idea sets the bar for an ideal we can all aspire to, to harness creative and ground-breaking ideas to mobilise and draw out empathy in everyone. Seriously, who would not want their rubbish to be 95 per cent recycled and provide a mountaineering opportunity at the same time! We can aim to mobilise people of all lifestyles, genders, ages, mainstream and marginalised, all socio-economic or income brackets, in short those YET to be converted. Showing the happiness that can be generated by not polluting has to be a positive.
Perhaps, we as greenies rely too much on words, or slogans to inform. Behaviour change is not merely about informing but also about inspiring a change of heart, as well as mind-set. Like with any kind of marketing, we aim to make what we are selling accessible to the widest possible demographic. Green idealogy has already permeated every aspect of our lives, and avenues for inspiring action - include cause-based festivals (in Melbourne the Environmental Film Festival, the Sustainable Living Festival, Lost Trades Festival), as well as Music Festivals with a sustainability feel or backdrop eg Burning Man, Secret Solstice, Splendour in the Grass). Eco-Tourism, Farmers Markets (encouraging locavore and organic living), car share companies, ethical banking and investing - there isn’t an area of our lives that hasn’t been touched by environmental ideology and planning.
So bringing this casting the net thinking back on to the micro level, us greenies can operate at the grass-roots level can share our ideas and information in contexts that everyone enjoys, and speaking from the female perspective, I can say most women I know enjoy film and events where they get to simply put on a dress and leave the house. Many Parties, Weddings and Festivals are hosted with the environment in mind, but this time we are making the Event all about inspiring Sustainability.
Having a chance to get dressed, go out and meet others acts as a serious drawcard - the appeal factor we were taking about above. We want people's eyes and hearts to literally pop - social BOTTLE OR EMERALD green and a touch of sparkle (bio-degradable of course).
Event Ideas
Events could include:
Throwing a creative fundraiser with a combined green message such as ....
Hosting a mask party
The masks could be painted and decorated to represent a threatened species ….
Eg swift parrot, orange-bellied parrot, Tasmanian devil, koala, in Australia to name a few.
Why not hold Poetry, Sing Song parties, or Karaoke competitions - the guests can bring a poem or song with their favourite environmental message. (Songs like - Big Yellow Taxi or Earth Song spring to mind.") Those who chose not to sing can bid on a choice of song - the singer gets to raise charity money by proving their singing prowess or, has fun embarrassing themselves.
Come along to the party and purchase your song or mask as proceeds towards the charity.
Or if songs or masks are too difficult to organise, buy a ribbon inscribed or embroidered with the endangered species name or green issue.
Or we can hold a Fashion Swop or Auction party.. to raise funds
Each guest donates designer (second hand) clothes, accessories or Art work - to inculcate a less consumerist sentiment whilst still enjoying the social vibe and excitement.
School students with entire households of stuff going to landfill can go the whole hog - and hold a Fashion Parade based around reclaimed or goods saved from landfill. KIds can host their own Crafty parties promoting Sustainable ARt. Prizes can be awarded for best design - competitions build in that element of suspense and excitement.
Sculpture sourced from ocean refuse and netting, School Art Project, Friog, Wales (Google Images).
Think Cambodian Fish Island Community Arts Fashion Parade event that went on tour around Cambodia demonstrating that waste can be the fuel in your green glam event whilst also empowering young people from struggling backgrounds.
Less glamorous events....
Combine a group dating - Singles event - the speed dating event could be based around your preferred environmental topic, or a favourite book.
Other ideas include weed and speed date... or singles feeding the hungry weekly (local or rescued food - please!) or produce planting up your local school kitchen garden….
All these events are a perfect way to make raising money and/or protecting our Earth a memorable experience that opens up more social connections, a chance to spread the word in a non-preachey way without the angst and urgency of extreme green messaging.