February 2008 Volume 14 Number 2

Is democracy the enemy of climate action?

Talking climate change with the CIWEM team over a pint, CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves, said: 'Democracy doesn't work. What we need is a benevolent dictator!' Whilst none of us would seek to undermine the value of democracy - Reeves himself celebrates the work of John Wilkes, an 18th century politician and supporter of universal suffrage - I couldn't help but think that Nick had a point.

Democracy means that politicians need the permission of voters to allow them to act on climate change. That is, voters must agree to a dramatic shift in lifestyle and vote not for short-term goals, but restrained consumption to ensure a peaceful and sustainable world for future generations.

We have just seen Manchester vote against a congestion charge, contributing to a pattern of events where, when the public has been given the opportunity to choose what is best for the environment against what is best for the pocket, the pocket wins every time.

So, how can we make the shift in voting culture required to take the developed world from a state of climate denial into one set for action and prepared to do what it takes to save future generations from war, drought, hunger and suffering?

Although I have deep concerns over the will to tackle climate change with the urgency required to avoid catastrophic events, I still hold some faith in human nature and believe that in the dark recesses of our collective conscience that we want to do the right thing. There may be a selfish gene, but surely we have the foresight, good sense and maturity to stop short of selling out on civilisation? Is the problem then one of communication? If the public understood fully the ramifications of current lifestyles would it be calling for change?

I believe this may well be the case and while there is hope of persuasion, organisations such as CIWEM and environmentally-aware individuals, environmental professionals and others alike, have a huge role to play in communicating the issues and the urgency of action.

This edition of WEM features an interview with the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group, Colin Challen, on page four. He urges environmental professionals to 'get political' and explains why politics and climate change form such a heady mix. The Government's recent announcement on the expansion of Heathrow is a case in point - enraging environmentalists, many politicians and a concerned public. This decision flies in the face of the Government's commitment to reduce emissions and could come to be an election clincher.

 Erika Yarrow, Editor, WEM (Water & Environment Magazine) wemeditor@ciwem.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Read the Digital Edition