Cumulative positive impact starts with taking personal responsibility

No matter where you look, what news report you watch or what social media you follow, climate change is a trending topic and a global phenomenon that largely impacts urban life. It’s here to stay and our problem to solve.

With more than half of respondents saying they have experienced the impacts of climate change – and possibly some more than once in their lifetime – there’s no doubt that people are looking to their local governments and the private sector to take the lead in driving large-scale change. Personally, I’m questioning how quickly are they taking action and how innovative are they in their approaches? How are the decisions being made going to impact me, my family and my community, today and into the future?

But I recognise that I also need to reflect on my own habits and actions and understand that I play a role in making change and being able to influence those around me to do better. We simply can’t pass the buck or stick our head in the sand and hope that someone else will fix the problem.

Our CROSSROADS research highlights that climate change and sustainability are problems that are understood and felt by all generations cohabitating today. While our needs are constantly changing, it’s reassuring to see that people believe that small changes in behaviour can make a difference.

How we choose to interact with others and the communities we live in also needs to be considered. The results show that people are willing to adapt their behaviours and contribute to solutions. They believe that every small change we make in our everyday lives can have a positive cumulative impact; that includes looking at our own spending and consumption behaviours and how they contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

But are we willing to foot the bill for greener and more sustainable products and services? We certainly don’t lack choice in this area, with an enormous amount of effort and marketing dollars being spent trying to match brands with perceived consumer value. And if we look to government and corporations to lead change, we need to be willing to speak-up when necessary to either voice our concerns or show support for good decision-making.

With financial pressures and concerns for the future arising out of increased costs for housing, transportation, food and other basic goods and services, what’s left in our wallet at the end of the month will have a big impact on the decisions we make.