Summary
Most of the environmental challenges we face could be resolved if each individual and organisation slightly changed their habits and practices. The key to achieving this is education – providing the knowledge and desire for change to happen. A truly sustainable society will only be created when caring for the environment becomes second nature to us all.
Our behaviour is the physical expression of our values and beliefs. Similarly, the practices of a business reflect the policies adopted by that organisation. Therefore to influence behaviour it is necessary to first influence these underlying values and policies – to win hearts and minds through awareness raising and education.
Leicester's vision:
Leicester will have high awareness and understanding of local and global environment issues such that actively caring for the environment becomes second nature.
The Issue
Ultimately, most of the environmental challenges we face could be resolved if each individual and organisation slightly changed their habits and practices. The key to achieving this is education – providing the knowledge and desire for change to happen.
We as individuals, and indeed society as a whole, change our habits all the time. Ten years ago very few people recycled their waste yet today the majority have learnt the habit. For many it is no longer a conscious effort, recycling has simply become the way things are done. Small changes such as this accumulate to change the paradigm of our society. A sustainable society will only be reached when caring for the environment becomes second nature to us all.
Our behaviour is the physical expression of our values and beliefs. Similarly, the practices of a business reflect the policies adopted by that organisation. To influence behaviour it is necessary to first influence the underlying values – to win hearts and minds through awareness raising and education.
“A person who acts against their will, is of the same opinion still”
There is always something that individuals and organisations can do to help tackle environmental problems. The choices made each day as to what to buy, how to travel and the lifestyle habits we adopt, all have an environmental impact. It is up to each of us to decide whether to use our power of choice to help improve the world or add to its problems. Similarly, the policies and practices of an organisation are the result and collective responsibility of the individuals who work for, own, or buy from, that organisation.
Education and Environmental Responsibility
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