A quote from Chapter 7 of 'The Spirit Level' by Wilkinson & Pickett:
"Because behaviour changes are easier for people who feel in control and in a good emotional state, lessening the burdens of inequality could make an important contribution towards resolving the epidemic of obesity."
Replace the last three words with 'environmental crisis' or 'problem of climate change' and there are some interesting implications:
1) Social change (reducing inequality) is a prerequisite for significant progress on averting climate chaos.
2) People need encouragement and support rather than chastisement and criticism.
3) Building and fostering confidence, skills and resilience in our communities is an important task for the green movement.
By the way, do yourself a favour and READ THIS BOOK - it's profoundly important. Selly Oak library already has a copy and Northfield is getting one. We now have a set of books you can borrow from the Ecocentre, too.
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