 | David Robinson OBE Originator of We Are What We Do [1], publisher of Change The World For A Fiver and Change The World 9 to 5. | |||
GIVING TO CHARITY IS GOOD. It often changes lives. For many of us it is also easy - it lets us feel comfortable, complacent even. We’ve done something.
But have we done enough? I’m interested in why our lifestyles don’t always match our giving. I’m also interested in the simple changes which make a huge difference if enough of us make them. Why for instance do so many of us give to environmental charities but not reduce our consumption by, say, using both sides of a sheet of paper? Why do we keep our phone chargers, computers, TVs, on standby when we know the cost? “Not extraordinary people acting exceptionally but all of us behaving rationally."The following equation is not rocket science but it works: Small Changes x Lots of People = Big Change. What’s more, it doesn’t have to cost any of us one penny. Switching off lights, walking short journeys we would otherwise drive etc – they all save money. Individually they are tiny contributions but collectively they are colossal. Global warming, social exclusion and world poverty; whatever the challenge, you and I create the Zeitgeist – the climate of opinion – in which governments operate and to which businesses respond. So relying on your favourite charity to do all the work isn’t enough. You need to do something too. M&S sells Fairtrade t-shirts because there is the demand. Because we showed an active interest, Make Poverty History sent poverty to the top of the G8 agenda. Our actions give us the governments, businesses and consequences we deserve. They make up the world that we share - and we can change it. Not extraordinary people acting exceptionally but all of us behaving rationally. So don’t just give. Think – and act. Let our website help you on your way: www.wearewhatwedo.org [2]. > More expert opinions [2] > Watchdog articles [2] |