Who is "The motorist"?

It seems that any suggestion to reduce traffic congestion or car use now draws a customary response from one of the motoring organisations. News stories on television or radio usually turn to a talking head from either the AA, RAC, or one of the new organisations "defending" the rights of "the motorist". Who told them that they represent all motorists? I have a breakdown contract with one of the big two but I certainly neither want nor expect them to speak for me on matters of policy. These spokesmen (for generally they seem to be men) always add something along the lines of "Yes we need to adress these important issues" but it always appears to have a subtext of "But we will never support anything that is done to address these important issues."

It is lazy journalism that allows this imbalanced approach and gives airtime to these people. Please note all you defenders of "The Motorist" - you don't represent me and please stop pretending that you do.

Reclaiming Activism

At long last corporates and governments seem to be awakening to the climate change issue. However, I don't think we should be too satisfied with the response to date. We must remain wary of greenwash and the power of the PR machines that back up all our large institutions these days.

Announcing seemingly bold targets for lowering carbon emissions, reducing energy use, increasing recycling and re-use, all sounds like good news. Yet we have to ask if progress towards these goals are going to be transparent, measured, published, and generally meaningful. As a consumer I'd like to know more about what is being done to deliver real change in company behaviour. Reading their supposed good intentions in advertisements and Annual Reports and knowing that they have ticked all the boxes in a Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) report is nowhere near enough.

Of course there is another danger in that we place responsibility solely in the hands of the large companies and institutions. We must not abdicate our personal responsibility for either our own consumption and actions or for pressurising those with financial or political power. We must all become activists, making active choices to support real change.