Designing the system
Welcome back to all the students starting on our first programmes to roll out for the year. I will start the official blogs next week when all the students are back but I thought to give you something to go on, especially those that are currently at a block course who have hopefully been inspired to think about the subject of being future-focussed!
When thinking about making good choices we often just look at the end product and try and make the best choice, which is a good thing but inadvertently may not always be the best for the environment because of all the other impacts along the way. As consumers we might not have the power to re-design the system, but we can ask questions about the system and pressure designers. Some of us might be able to influence the system.
There is a very interesting TED talk (link here) that gives some inspiration into thinking about the whole system and designing with the whole system in mind. It uses a good example of a paper bag and how, to the consumer, it looks like the best choice. Paper might be the better choice but not if the paper is from unsustainable production. Depending how it is transported - paper may be 10x heavier than a plastic bag, and take that much more space and fuel to transport the same number of bags. Similarly, bags that end up in the landfill are taking up space and not biodegrading rapidly - it would be better if they were composted or recycled. Of course paper vs plastic is not the only option and is not the whole story either. This talk is well worth a watch.
For more on consumers choosing wisely, see the Conscious Consumers website
Next week we'll explore why we need to have these discussions and as we move through the year, we'll look at how you can influence your workplace even if you are the most junior staff member. I welcome your ideas for blogs and look forward to any and all contributions from students, including stories of what you are doing, or have done. Join us! Get involved!
Have a great day!
Oh man that TED talk was actually just depressing. Unless ALL consumers start thinking like this, the world is inevitably munted. And they won't, because people are stupid. And selfish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I think that is a mind shift we all have to have. We could all watch this stuff get depressed and nothing changes, but what we need to do is have a shift in thoughts and think positively and start making the changes/spreading the word in a positive way. If people believe they can make a difference they will. If all of us make small steps together it becomes giant. Social media is a great way to do this and other networking channels. I hope over the year to help with getting a positive frame of mind and learning how to influence change.
ReplyDeleteIf spreading the word and influencing change is possible to do in a positive and simple way, I'm all for it. I think for me it's depressing because it's hard to influence ideas onto people who have done the same thing for ages and are stuck in a habit. Especially when you are the bottom-of-the-foodchain new student nurse in the clinic. You don't want to come off as telling people what to do, especially when you're the new girl against an established business.
ReplyDelete