Rod : Coming out at Christmas

It’s that time of year when the resolve to buy less stuff and stay part of this challenge is tested to the limit. Yes, Xmas is upon us. Not only are you expected to buy gifts for other people, you will also be the recipient of many gifts, some of which may be useful, others less so. So one of the things I’ve had to do is ‘come out of the closet’ to my friends and family about this challenge, what it entails and what it means for me at Xmas. Basically what I’ve told them is that I don’t want to receive material gifts from people, and if I do give material gifts to others, they will be second-hand.

For people who don’t have climate change as a major part of their life, my whole attitude may appear strange, weird and downright ‘Bah Humbug!’. I can appreciate that. But I try to impress to them that it’s really important to me, and hope that they will respect my wishes. Looking for gifts for others has been fun, though it has taken some time. I’ve been trawling through the second-hand bookshops the last few weeks and I think I have managed to find some good presents. As for me, I’ve been asked what I’d like, and I’ve requested a subscription to the Royal Met Society, as I know this will be useful for my MSc.

Studying this topic as part of my MSc has certainly opened my eyes to things going on around me. I was telling someone today that it’s like seeing the same view but from a completely different perspective. Walking around town, seeing people buying lots of gifts, big boxes with plasma TVs and bags packed overflowing with plastic toys has been quite depressing. Knowing what the cost is in terms of the manufacturing of these items, the pollution caused by the use of factories in less regulated countries, the cost of transporting from overseas and the fact that many of these items won’t last or be wanted for more that 2-3 years and then will be disposed off, it can all be quite overwhelmingly depressing sometimes. I’ve sometimes felt close to tears as I think of the immense social inertia and vested interests that are against changing the current status quo of progress through economic growth and consumerism.

But then there is so much good in the world, it’s worth fighting for. Being on the CCF stall at the Mill Road Winter Fair today was great as we got to talk to quite a few people who were truly interested in what we do. The sense of community there was amazing, and I was quite literally stunned by the view of Mill Road as I came over the railway bridge and looked towards town – the road was awash with a sea of people. I think the power that we all possess as a community is a really powerful force for change if we can just harness it. Look at what has achieved in the past by people such Ghandi, the American civil rights movement and by Nelson Mandela. We may be a more polite people here in the UK, but I know that if we put our minds to it, I truly believe that together as a community we can do almost anything.