Learning to Live on Less - a proposed positive initiative for U3A's worldwide

Future generations depend on our ability to pass on a world in which they can live. Each past generation has worked, saved, and fought wars to preserve a quality of life for their children. This generation, with all its achievements, is in danger of leaving a worse legacy than any other.

Many of us in the U3A have enjoyed amazing benefits of cheap energy, cheap transportation, cheap food, good health and long life which our forefathers struggled to achieve. How can we say thank you? How can we invest in the future for our grandchildren and others? How can we make a difference?

What is the damage?

You would probably not be reading this if you could not identify 5 or 10 examples of damage to the planet and its peoples that our lifestyles are causing. Coal, oil and gas combustion is causing climate change to feed our need for heating, cooling, manufacturing and transportation. Water and mineral resources are under threat and increasing storms and floods cause displacement and poverty. The populations of India and China want the same standard as they see on TV so the pressure on resources is ever increasing.

Where is the proof? Where is the action?

What proof do you need before you take out insurance? The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change says these events are 90% certain to happen if we do little or nothing. Governments are acting, but too little to avoid the dangers. This is partly because the public is unwilling to accept the costs of significant action. We prefer to keep our lifestyles at the present low costs even if they endanger the next generation.

We are the problem. Are we the solution?

Our natural desire for the best house, the best car and the best holiday have changed our energy consumption from 1950's levels, which were sustainable, to today's consumption which is not. Add to that our throw away habits are using timber, water and some minerals at an unsustainable rate. There are ways to generate energy sustainably but it will initially be more expensive. With clean abundant energy many of the other problems can be solved.

We need to motivate governments onto the right tracks and buy time until it can happen. These 2 steps are in our hands!

Bring climate action back onto the agenda

My friends dread the conversation turning to the climate or the worlds resources. Most have tried recycling bottles or saving rain water and they realise these actions have little or no effect even if everyone does them. Stop flying and stop driving the car. Move to a smaller house and live nearer work. Stop buying so much stuff! These actions would make a difference if everyone did them, but they won't. What we want is some positive things to do that will help a bit but gain the publicity to empower government to legislate for green energy and carbon taxation.

Examples of Positive Action

1. Longer holidays – people who fly abroad on holiday several times per year for a week could fly once for a month and use 75% less energy. They could then spend more in the local area rather than making Ryanair richer.

2. Make your home town more attractive and join others who are doing this so that fewer will have to stay 'We must get away!'

3. Use 1% of your time to learn about climate change and email your MP. Share the good news with your friends. Successful 24 hour solar generation achieved in Spain. Successful carbon dioxide storage in Iceland. Watch for more key events and share them.

4. Start a climate fund and put away 1 percent of your income to benefit the next generation. Hold it in a separate bank account until the right project comes along.

5. Consider 1% of your capital on trust for the next generation and look for the right project to invest it.

6. Take your savings out of energy based investments if they are not migrating towards renewables. They are at risk from government legislation.

7. Join the U3A 1% club and share your experiences on the blog.

Protests and Stickers

Protests are effective and do influence government policy but it may be more effective to say why you are engaged in the above actions with a sticker, banner or through the social media. It would be better for some with more experience of such methods to propose how.

A T-shirt saying 'Longer holidays benefit the planet' might start a good discussion.

Could a good symbol carry the message that we care? How about a world with an arrow through it?

Can U3A International do this?

I have spoken to several U3A meetings on climate change and been well received except for one or two sleeping. 'Yes, but what can we do?' is the response. 'Do come and talk to us again next year.' How can we tell such nice people that their grandchildren will almost certainly be faced with unsurmountable problems if they do not do something!

Successful species have dominated the world in the past and then disappeared. We can see our fate coming. Will we act?

As I write this I still fear this strategy will not awaken the public to the danger in time. Would it be better to promote the development of a survival town in an airtight envelope which could survive one of the effects of severe climate change – an atmosphere of methane?!

Over to YOU!

Malcolm Crocker

malcolmcro@aol.com