I have suggested that Labour needs a narrative. It does. Let me offer one to Labour, the Greens, the SNP, Plaid and anyone who wants to use it, alone or in partnership.
––––––
The world is in crisis. We must change to stop climate change and protect biodiversity or we have no future.
At the same time we have learned that we need stronger health, care, education and support services to manage the threat from crises, like the one created by Covid.
And we need to tackle the impact of financialisation of the economy on people's lives - most obviously seen in crushing house prices and rents.
We need a new economy. The one we have cannot adapt to any of these threats without there being big changes. It has passed its sell by date, and is near its use by date as well. We have to change.
What we need is freedom from fear.
The fear of unemployment.
The fear of low pay.
The fear of never being able to call a place home.
The fear of ill health.
The fear of old age, and not being cared for.
The fear that no one cares about your community.
In summary, the fear that comes from isolation.
We need not suffer this fear. The UK is a rich country. It has national wealth of at least £12 trillion. It has an able workforce. It is better placed to manage the risks that we face than many nations. But, the resources to face those risks have to be mobilised.
To become net zero carbon we need a million houses a year converted to use heat pumps.
So we need to make a million heat pumps.
And millions of electric car charging points.
And new renewable energy generation capacity, throughout the country.
This can only be done with a carbon army of people to transform our country, starting, continuing and ending in the places in which each and every one of us lives, which will take twenty years, or more.
It could be done with our steel.
And could be done to our designs.
It needs to be done to English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland's houses.
And in the streets where those houses are.
It has to employ local people.
And it needs to engage people to deliver all the support services - from childcare onwards - that such a programme of work would require.
It must build new houses too. Because we need them. And they must be affordable, and provide security.
And we must also have the local transport we need - because almost all journeys are local, although politicians usually forget that.
Whilst at the same time the NHS must be put back in its feet.
And our wealth should support this. Just offer decent interest rates on National Savings and the money would pour in. £70bn a year goes into ISAs now. More could be raised for a Green New Deal simply by changing tax rules. Let's call it our national capital. Let's change all tax reliefs on savings and investment so that they are only given for building for our futures.
And let's stop worrying about deficits. Let's instead worry about work, planet, houses and security.
And if inequality is created by government deficits - as it is - then let's tax the wealthier to deliver social fairness. Prosperity is good, but too much inequality isn't.
Let's talk about sharing.
Let's talk about what can be done together.
But let's remember we are also different. Let's respect that fact. That north is not the same as south. That we have differing cultures, national backgrounds and traditions. But that we can work together.
Let's talk possibility. And not of constraints.
And let's not pretend that we cannot afford what we know must be done.
Let's do it instead - turning our work, our communities, our finances, our government, our taxes, to common purpose. To deliver what we all need. Together, that is, because none of us are unaffected by this.
Let's build the place we have to be.
That is a vision.
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That’s a brilliant vision and it’s possible. We just need the political will. Will Labour step up? Or an anti-Tory alliance? I do hope so.
So many of your proposals are spot on — such as “if inequality is created by government deficits – as it is – then let’s tax the wealthier to deliver social fairness. Prosperity is good, but too much inequality isn’t.”
You also say “Let’s talk possibility. And not of constraints.” ‘Yes’ to the ‘possibility’ but won’t dealing with the inequality involve ‘constraints’? – especially inequality between rich and poor nations.
Yet the bigger constraints are inflicted by nature. They cannot be avoided. There is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere already. Rich countries must stop producing it — now! And as you say “The UK is a rich country.” It also extracts far more than its share of food, minerals and wealth from countries that are being hit hard by climate change — and it’s much more our fault than theirs. With the Industrial Revolution, the UK (unknowingly) accelerated climate chaos.
Sorry, but constraints are unavoidable. Restrictions on energy consumption and mineral use are essential. Limits are needed on the volume of housing any family may own.
Either we design constraints or, the scale at which nature will continue to inflict them will overwhelm most of humanity.
“We must remember that we can’t negotiate or compromise with the laws of physics.” Greta Thunberg 23 Jan 2021.
If the Labour Party was saying this sort of thing they might not have just been wiped-out in Hartlepool (and elsewhere?).
Neither government nor opposition seem to accept your opening statement: ‘The World is in crisis’……etc. 🙁
A good outline – but how do people start to think it’s credible? In Hartlepool they were apparently voting for a share of Tory ‘goodies’ – a freeport and a Treasury campus in Durham. The thought seems to be if we vote for those with the wealth and power we’ll get a share of it.
There are so many being callously and explicitly stripped – not least leaseholders, charged thousands to pay for their own freeholders’ negligence .
Along with the narrative, maybe an explicit targetting of key segments – aspirant young homeowners, leaseholders, precariat employees etc? in the 1940-s I think there were pamphlets appealiong directly to particular voters – as to why they should vote Labour.
My vision isn’t a job in Durham for a few
It’s a job in Hartlepool for the many
Keir – are you reading?
I hope so; I fear not.
You clearly shout out for a Socialist State, or at least I think you do..you have said previously that you can have more impact blogging etc than being on the political stage, do you still believe that because no one of influence is carrying your message.. is it not time to emerge from the shadows and try and become a political force in your own right? It can be done look at what Farage achieved for his agenda..
I guess that’s aimed at me, not Clive
Answer, no
I am not temperamentally suited to be a politician
I am not good at lying, for a start
Agree with that. Brilliantly done and straight to the point.
If only . . . what a fab set of proposals.
More than that, they’re not only what is needed, but what can and could be done.
“the NHS must be put back in its feet…..And our wealth should support this”
Agreed, but disheartening to read of a report from the LSE & the Lancet stating that the £102bn needed for this would be paid for by tax rises, which a spokesperson for the King’s Fund says is highly unlikely since the Tories have promised not to increase taxes.
So, there is no other way of funding the NHS then, LSE researchers?? (wonder what the “E” stands for? Eejits?)
Missed out the link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/06/uk-needs-102bn-boost-to-nhs-and-social-care-says-major-report
Can you suggest anyone with the competence and personal integrity to carry this out?
I can’t think of anybody whether inside or outside politics, myself well included.
Caroline Lucas
Why does Caroline not appoint you as her economic advisor? You sidestep the politics but carry the influence?
We do talk
Yes – Caroline Lucas.
I have always been impressed by Caroline Lucas whenever she speaks. I hope she could gather together the progressive vote. There needs to be a willingness of political parties to work together – to unite and conquer to overcome the Tories’ divide and conquer.
As a friend of mine said, the only good tory is a lavatory.
Craig
Working together is now key
Vast majority including me strongly disagrees.
About what?
You replied to yourself so it is hard to tell
The world is in crisis. We must change to stop climate change and protect biodiversity or we have no future.
Not without China, India and The USA on board plus the large corporations that are heavy polluters.
At the same time we have learned that we need stronger health, care, education and support services to manage the threat from crises, like the one created by Covid.
Many countries are involved in a “Space Race” The earth has a high percentage of water, where is the investment on ensuring the world population has access to clean, unpolluted water for all uses?
And we need to tackle the impact of financialisation of the economy on people’s lives – most obviously seen in crushing house prices and rents.
Too many people “doing well” out of house price inflation.
We need a new economy. The one we have cannot adapt to any of these threats without there being big changes. It has passed its sell by date, and is near its use by date as well. We have to change.
To big a shift in overseas manufacturing, as society progresses further into “know the cost of everything and the value of nothing”
What we need is freedom from fear.
The fear of unemployment.
Doesn’t effect enough people for change.
The fear of low pay.
See above.
The fear of never being able to call a place home.
What do people want in a “home” and a “place”
The fear of ill health.
Have a proactive rather than a reactive attitude to healthcare.
The fear of old age, and not being cared for.
Deep issues here that have never been fully researched.
The fear that no one cares about your community.
See above.
In summary, the fear that comes from isolation.
Seems the preferred option, Brexit?
We need not suffer this fear. The UK is a rich country. It has national wealth of at least £12 trillion. It has an able workforce. It is better placed to manage the risks that we face than many nations. But, the resources to face those risks have to be mobilised.
To become net zero carbon we need a million houses a year converted to use heat pumps.
Not practical for many areas and properties.
So we need to make a million heat pumps.
See above.
And millions of electric car charging points.
Issues with lithium, power generation plus shifted green issues.
And new renewable energy generation capacity, throughout the country.
High opposition to renewable energy, especially in rural areas.
This can only be done with a carbon army of people to transform our country, starting, continuing and ending in the places in which each and every one of us lives, which will take twenty years, or more.
More like fifty.
It could be done with our steel.
And could be done to our designs.
It needs to be done to English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland’s houses.
And in the streets where those houses are.
It has to employ local people.
And it needs to engage people to deliver all the support services – from childcare onwards – that such a programme of work would require.
To many unresearched society issues.
It must build new houses too. Because we need them. And they must be affordable, and provide security.
Conversion of defunct offices/shops, many in sound buildings?
And we must also have the local transport we need – because almost all journeys are local, although politicians usually forget that.
Covid-19 may have caused a generational shift that could be difficult to get back.
Whilst at the same time the NHS must be put back in its feet.
See comments about proactive health services.
And our wealth should support this. Just offer decent interest rates on National Savings and the money would pour in. £70bn a year goes into ISAs now. More could be raised for a Green New Deal simply by changing tax rules. Let’s call it our national capital. Let’s change all tax reliefs on savings and investment so that they are only given for building for our futures.
To much inertia and apathy for this to work.
And let’s stop worrying about deficits. Let’s instead worry about work, planet, houses and security.
Deficit narratives such as this are difficult to change.
And if inequality is created by government deficits – as it is – then let’s tax the wealthier to deliver social fairness. Prosperity is good, but too much inequality isn’t.
Too much opposition, the wealthy have major influence.
Let’s talk about sharing.
Humans seem to be going the opposite way.
Let’s talk about what can be done together.
See above.
But let’s remember we are also different. Let’s respect that fact. That north is not the same as south. That we have differing cultures, national backgrounds and traditions. But that we can work together.
Let’s talk possibility. And not of constraints.
And let’s not pretend that we cannot afford what we know must be done.
Let’s do it instead – turning our work, our communities, our finances, our government, our taxes, to common purpose. To deliver what we all need. Together, that is, because none of us are unaffected by this.
Let’s build the place we have to be.
That is a vision.
I have travelled all across the UK, talked to all walks of life, this is a VERY large mountain to climb.
Wow
What a dismal world view
“Wow
What a dismal world view”
Is it?
Show me real world evidence that the rich aren’t getting richer and the poor aren’t getting poorer.
Show me a party, peer, MP or politician willing to call out and thoroughly investigate corruption.
Explain why things like Barnard Castle, Panama Papers and reward for failure are not fully investigated.
Explain the very real possibility of increasing worldwide populism.
I could gon on and on.
I have campaigned around these issues fir 20 years
I know something about them
I can either not accept them, or adopt your resigned acceptance
Which will create change?
Agreed, a very dismal view but in most instances a correct view of the current situation. When a governing party can readily allow over 150,000 people to loose their lives through governmental mismanagement of disease and still win handsomely in elections we have a very callous population in the UK. What Labour need to do is to consider all of these issues and then look 10 to 20 years from now and see who are expected to be the most adversely affected and then construct humane policies that will find suit their needs.
At the present time all the Tories are doing is appealing to peoples basest instincts and setting one against the other. This is of course successful in the short term but will ultimately fall as do all houses built of cards. To succeed Labour needs to think this through and develop policies that will appeal to those who have been left behind and then present them with a well thought out policies that cater for their needs at that time but also allows for their support in the future with well considered green credentials.
Unfortunately until they have such a policy they can never hope to defeat the Tories by abstaining or trying to out Tory the Tories.
With that I tend to agree
Did you not read this sentence of the opening post:
Let’s talk possibility. And not of constraints.
“Did you not read this sentence of the opening post:
Let’s talk possibility. And not of constraints.”
I did indeed read the whole sentence, also the whole post.
It is “possible” that Stockport County could win the FA Cup, if only on the basis that they enter every year.
I am fully aware that Richard has been campaigning for many years, and has published books and discussed issues up to academic level.
I have commented many times on this blog about how human nature, longstanding issues, plus my own experience of working in many sectors and discussing and listening to people all over to know that division is widening not narrowing, selfishness is increasing not decreasing.
It is disappointing that real journalism in this country is non existent.
For example, I have seen no full, real world research and discussion about the state of Social Care in this country and how it needs bottom up reform, same for health and education. I could write several books on my personal experiences if I was not working flat out to earn a crust myself.
None of this will happen in my lifetime unfortunately.
It won’t happen in your lifetime because you don’t want it to
Sorry, but that’s my conclusion.
It won’t happen in your lifetime because you don’t want it to
Sorry, but that’s my conclusion
I want it to, more than you know, but unfortunately people like you and me get shouted over, ignored or ridiculed.
When you post blogs on certain topics, I would to add comments for a civilised debate, if that is okay with you.
As you know I do not descend into abuse and welcome experience and comments from other blog readers.
Jim
All I am asking you to believe it is possible
That’s literally it
Richard
Did the ghost of Clement Attlee pop up in your dreams last night by any chance?
It’s just the sort of thing he would be saying right now.
And the Green tint is also advisable – much needed. Caroline Lucas is a star. Labour should be inviting in for talks.
Meanwhile according to the Guardian, the Neo-lib LSE has co-produced a report about tax rises in order to fund the NHS. How innovative!! So our taxes will go up and straight into the greedy gobs of American Health companies?!
Great!!
I can see a couple of issues which might make SNP hesitant about playing a significant part in any anti-Tory coalition in Westminster, not that the SNP have any love for the Tories.
The first is that the SNP took a lot of flak from its own supporters in Scotland during the tenure of Teresa May’s government about using a lot of energy and political capital in fighting against a hard hard Brexit, which many Scots saw as a predominantly English problem and, by doing so, neglecting to prioritise its foundational policy of independence for Scotland. That’s a view I can understand, but I can also understand that being a minority party in a very large parliament inevitably results in having to follow the business of the house and therefore making its own policy positions clear is limited to the few speaking opportunities that it is afforded. That, after all, is a defining example of the democratic deficit endured by minority parties in Westminster which, in turn, is a major driving force behind the Scottish public’s support for independence. In addition, I fully understand that the damage a hard Brexit would inflict (and continues to inflict) on the Scottish economy is worth fighting against. However the discontent generated by this perceived neglect of progress towards independence has, to some extent, been a driver of the appearance of new parties supporting independence, but with the potential to disrupt progress with infighting and personality clashes.
The second issue, and I’ve got my fingers crossed about it, is that the SNP may have a clear majority in the Holyrood elections and will therefore prioritise the independence project over all others once Covid is brought under control. In such circumstances, I can’t see the SNP playing much of a role in a coalition that many/most Scots will regard as “foreign affairs”.
The majority looks unlikely
And my point is that even if it happens the Tories are corrupt and will not agree to a referendum, so Sturgeon will say it is not possible
That makes defeating the Tories the only way forward
Whole heartedly agreed.
Independence is a consequence of year’s of abuse by Westminster – and look how good the Tories are at escaping consequences!? They’re past masters of it.
BTW – the Covid/Vaccination / Unlocking bounce phenomenon – could Labours decent performance in Wales be a result of this too – not just Boris? It’s really interesting.
In my view a potential coalition of SNP & Greens could be stronger than a majority SNP government: Greens’ firm views on having our own currency make more sense than the vacillating statements from SNP whose inner, elite core seems not to have noticed Tim Rideout’s successful amendment (at the 2019 Conference) to the elite’s proposal to adopt sterlingisation. It’s mission critical that we adopt our own sovereign currency and having the Green’s insistence on it in Cabinet discussions would make me more comfortable.
Likewise, the Greens’ input to policies around climate change, green energy, land use etc are very clear and constructive, and their involvement will bring credibility to ScotGov policy. Similarly, they are guaranteed to hold a tough line on Trident removal and nuclear energy. These three topics — currency, climate change and removal of WMDs — are of paramount importance to me: get these right and our children and grandchildren can live in a much better, safer Scotland than the one we currently inhabit.
I believe in coalitions
“Boris the bad says ‘No’. Oh well, we’ll have had our IndyRef then, back to my knitting and reading.” I don’t buy that. NS has, she says, supported Independence all her adult life so in the face of continuing intransigence she will either go ahead anyway or find another way – or retire/be deposed in utter ignominy.
Like the reports of her demise due to “breaking the ministerial code”, touted here as well as many other places as incontrovertible facts, I think people have seriously misjudged. As I said earlier this year, (some) women do things differently. Many men just don’t understand that.
My difficulty with that is there was a Con-LibDem coalition from 2010-2015, and a Con-DUP informal coalition from 2017-2019.
It’s true that the damaging psychoactive drugs criminalisation was passed when the Con had an absolute majority between those periods.
But the worst example of cooperation between political parties was the NSDAP and Centre Party in 1933 to get the Enabling Act over the line.
The key element that makes Coalition government good is that it often results in weak government. There is a Besley/Montalvo/Reynal analysis of this from a few years ago. Strong coalitions are not desirable.
Can we raise the level to one that reflects logic, reality and a balance of evidence, because these claims are just ridiculous?
Coalition requires cooperation. In turn that requires an understanding of priorities. And that requires that there be priorities. It also involves long term reappraisal of performance. So of course it works better than the pretence that wisdom is lodged in a single party.
And if you really think coalitions deliver Nazis you don’t have a lot to contribute here
Brilliant, except that you avoid the enormous elephant in the room, which is capitalism. The changes that are absolutely essential to save the planet are just not compatible with capitalism. There needs to be a revolution in the way our societies, economies and nations are managed. The political parties you mention are all at heart capitalist parties, even the most radical are social democratic capitalism. Any attempt at change organised by such as these will always be too little, too late. The capitalists, already supremely powerful, are still gaining ground using the most awesome propaganda machine the world has ever seen to negate the facts and plain common sense that should be holding sway. The WEF is aiming to become a de facto world government by “The Great Reset/Build Back Better” The gap between rich and poor increases at an ever increasing rate, military tensions escalate to the glee of the arms manufacturers and traders. The time it would take, acting now, just to stop things getting worse is more that the amount we have left before disaster strikes.
Sadly statements of principle, excellent though they may be, are just the tiniest step forward. I am completely in favour of the new world you are describing, but deeply pessimistic about reaching there in time without some form of violent revolution which, of course, has its own serious problems.
Tell me, if you don’t have a vision how does anything get done?
OK, I fully accept a vision is a necessary starting point but, of course, definitely not sufficient. Yours is excellent but it needs to be followed by action. I have followed you for a long while and agree on most things; you do more than most other people to help the cause but deforestation, fossil fuel burning and consumption single use plastics is still going up. Many experts gave us 12 years before disaster, now down to 10, and we are nowhere near even starting the serious changes that are necessary.
It should not just be up to people like you, Naomi Klein or Greta Thunberg; we need to mobilise the whole population now.
Yes, fine words and at 73 with limited mobility words is about all I can contribute so I shall keep on shouting and hoping someone starts acting!
It is worth remembering that we have been bitterly complaining about the media and the amount of dis- and mis-information. When XR stopped the distribution of Murdoch papers for a day they did more to help that cause than decades of fine words.
” So Sturgeon will say, (a referendum) is not possible)”. I beg to differ. Whether the S.N.P have a majority, or not, the Scottish Parliament will vote to hold a referendum. And it will be held, as soon as the immediate crisis of the pandemic has subsided. What some people still don’t get is that Scottish Independence is far more than any political party. It will. I hope, be the will of the people of Scotland. During the last campaign, I canvassed, and leafleted, alongside people of differing political allegiances, and some who wanted no truck with any political party, they just wanted independence. So no matter what anyone says, we will have our referendum,and this time I hope, with a very different result.
Mr Murphy,
I have just heard your “Friend” Kevin “dog food” Hague spouting off how bad Scotland would be if Independant all the old guff about GERS £2000 more per head in Scotland,I must say Ms Craven had a good response against him and Jo Coburn.
A pity BBC will not have you and Hague on a face to face on live TV.
I would happily do it
I really don’t understand why Labour can’t set out something like this then defend it and contend government decisions that would be worse than these policies. I completely get that Starmer has wanted to nullify the Left. Yet he campaigned for leader as a person who would unite the party and commit to ten admirable pledges but he seems now to stand for nothing. Surely he realises now that you can’t just campaign on not being Corbyn?
I would hope so
But no one knows what he is for
And across the left – even in NGOs – nothing new happens without focus groups and they say ‘be Tory’ because few have ever known anything but neoliberalism
It would be depressing to think that if a party campaigned on a Social Justice manifesto that it would be rejected in favour of neo-fascism – corruption, cronyism, lying as policy, law-breaking, bribes etc.
But Labour have a serious credibility problem thanks to New Labour, Blair/Brown/Mandelson. They promise much only to deliver Tory-lite policies. As an example, Brown was haranguing the SNP the other day for failing on Child Poverty. He might have liked to look at his own record which was very mixed. Sure, they lifted some children out of poverty, but that was due to Tax Credits, rather than due to higher wages. Danny Dorling examined Labour’s record and found that on a great many measures, such as the number of children unable to have a holiday away from home, or who had to share a bedroom, or the number who could not have friends round for tea, or who could not afford a school trip etc etc all increased. http://www.dannydorling.org/wp-content/files/dannydorling_publication_id0596.pdf
So, maybe Labour just aren’t trusted, and I haven’t even mentioned the illegal war or their failure to repeal the worst of Thatcher’s anti-union legislation.
Oh come on, don’t ignore things like Sure Start and nursery education
This is making stuff up
I am not saying Blair and Brown were right, but your claim does not stack
Making things up? I’m quoting Danny Dorling. Tell that to him.
I know Danny
I know him well enough to also disagree with him when appropriate
He would not claim to be a know all
I left a message over a month ago on the website of a Scottish company which provides heat pumps stating I had money to install them and was interested in doing business with them.
Have I had any sort of reply or response? Not a dicky bird. They do not want my money. I have an ancient gas back boiler in urgent need of replacement and I cannot get it done.
We have a crisis but it seems feck all capacity or urgency in responding to it.
Richard wrote “I believe in coalitions” in his post at 1:12pm today. I think it’s worth reiterating here for those who aren’t aware of it that the d’Hondt voting system used in elections to the Scottish parliament is designed to prevent any one party having any majority, never mind a large majority. As a result, minority governments are the norm here, so they generally form alliances with other parties on specific topics. Indeed, I’m not sure whether there has ever been a formal coalition agreement in Holyrood’s short history.
With all the votes in, SNP doesn’t have a majority, but in alliance with the Greens there will be a clear majority on constitutional matters and the Greens will have leverage for their interests, many of which align with SNP interests anyway.
This is a long read, but anyone interested in understanding the d’Hondt system will get all the info here:
https://listvotesense.medium.com/tactical-voting-in-the-scottish-parliament-election-a-mass-delusion-deconstructed-ceb65e64754e
Precisely
I don’t know if you are aware of the current political situation in the Republic of Ireland following the 2020 election but I’d be interested to hear your views.
Sinn Fein made massive headway by capturing the mood of the country, angry at the levels of homelessness, rising house prices and the state of the health service. They made the mistake of not fielding enough candidates which meant they were unable to claim the most seats. Regardless, they took the majority share of the vote at 24.5% compared to Fianna Fail at 22.2%, Fine Gail at 20.9% and others including Labour, Greens and Independents on 32.4%.
For obvious traditional reasons none of the other parties would enter coalition agreements with Sinn Fein resulting in Fianna Fail and Fine Gail entering into a coalition that means Fianna Fail will run the country for two of the four year term and Fine Gail taking over for the final two years. I suppose the equivalent here would be the Conservatives running the country for two years followed by Labour.
Already though the effects of the seismic Sinn Fein breakthrough are being felt with Ireland engaging in massive new social house building and health service reform that arguably would not have occurred otherwise and are now taking steps to correct the imbalance against local manual workers, the elderly etc. Groups that had been left behind previously.
To me this shows what can be achieved by standing up for your principles and avoiding the ‘diving to win a penalty’ antics employed by the current big parties in England and Scotland.
I was aware
Thanks though
It may be worth pointing out that the tactical ‘delusion’ applied to list seats for marginal parties, not to tactical voting between parties with existing electoral heft. I hypothesise that the very fact of the ‘delusional’ debate during the campaign may have encouraged tactical voting that did have an effect in the results.
I agree with the ideas in this post.
I will add that we have a problem of “marketing/selling” the ideas. On fixing inequality, we have winners and losers. Any fix requires the current winners to lose something and the current losers gain something, so “selling” the loss is crucial to any actions, laws or support staying in place across elections. One example involves climate change, humans are “winning” and the planet is losing but this is also true for other species decline and environmental decline. One has to convince the humans that losing (less consumption) is a good thing, particularly difficult when we have a built-in loss aversion cognitive bias. It really saddens me that I can’t think of a way to do this selling but I hope that there are some clever people who can. Indeed addressing all of the inequalities that neoliberalism causes hits the same problem.
Further to the idea of greening our houses, I recently had the idea of creating many very local greening offices, training and employing people to assess, fund and implement the changes each house needs to be carbon neutral. I’m not sure if the offices should be part of a local authority or not.
I got this idea when I asked myself how does anyone else know what size heat pump I need, what wall insulation I need (I’d prefer external insulation but the planning office might object, less so if all the houses in my road had similar treatment).
The greening offices should collect data on size and quantity of heat pumps that must be sourced, ditto for insulation then they can co-ordinate the work. I guess this would operate in a similar way to the GP & NHS works or how the covid vaccination program operated.
Great idea. Really like it