The Environment and TV

Test post

1. The discussion
The global issues such as climate change through non-natural causes are, I would imagine, largely due to industrial type emissions of pollutants. Now, as an individual I do not believe that my behaviour will have a material impact on the reversing of global warming other than indirectly by voting out the current government and voting in a party such as the Green Party. Or lobby government to change their current manifesto. However, the UK's negative effect on climate change notwithstanding, what about the USA and China? I will not pretend that I have any influence directly or indirectly with these superpowers! Thus, in the end I believe global issues comes down to not just governments but vast companies and industry sectors that have influence over governmental policy.

Locally, for example, keeping streets, parks and rivers clean, this can definately be the responsibility of the local people in tandem with the community and local politicians. Although, legislation enforcing recycling and better practical methods to do so would be a welcome help.

I think the three issues that are really important are:

a. climate change - global warming: if we reach "tipping point" (the point of no return) and the portentious soothsayers are correct then the future looks bleak for ourselves and our children. The carbon emissions will have to be reduced either by legislation or companies changing their social responsibility policies.

b. Taking responsibility for our own actions - I think locally and nationally (in terms of voting and lobbying governments and corporations) the individual should contribute more.

c. Educating everyone - from schools to OAPs there must be a change in outlook. Recyle; reduce carbon emissions; lobby local government; clean up the local environment etc. Taking a pride in our community locally and globally.



2. TV Channel:
The tone of voice should be engaging and authoratative without having to resort to gimmicks, such as employing modern youth culture celebrities.

Balance by having some programmes that more digestible and relevant to my life. Also, with some hard core factual documentaries with the likes of Attenbrough giving it the business.

Its tricky to get viewers for something that is inherently quite nerdy. Yet, if you make it too mainstream, like getting Ant and Dec involved, you can lose a lot of credibility. The trick is to make it interesting. I would like things like:

1. Grand designs - but with environmental slant

2. how to make your home and garden environmentally friendly

3. a reliable internet site, like BBC, that you could cross refer to and rely on it like www.moneysavingsexpert.com

Kind regards

MAW

I tend to agree with the comment above about the voice of the channel. It is easy to slip into the trap of trying too hard to 'get the kids on board or interested'by using a funky familiar youth tv face. They will respect a voice of authority that is also fun. So I think fun and informative without being too silly or trying to be too funky as this could backfire.

I think it's all too easy to say you personally have no impact, but as a consumer / a supporter or government policies/parties etc. we all as the individual add up to a massive impact.
on one level we can choose to drive around in SUV's and eat in mcdonalds or make choices that create less impact - the attitudes are far reaching in that the trends and ideologies set today give momentum to the continuity of that same thoughts of powerlessness or failing to see yourself as having an impact.

it should not be all about the bigger fish to fry such as governments and companies creating global warming from huge carbon emissions -they should be accountable but we all have a responsibility on the principal that if one is complacent then it inspires those people/governement/companies to be complacent. You should live by what you expect from others, and this wisdom works on all levels of our lives. Be the change you seek in others...
that is what the programmes should get across without being preachy or higher than thou - it should inspire children and adults to uphold certain principals in how they live their life and spend their money.
Money is an energy...If you put money into things which ruin the environment then you'll get a ruined environment...pretty simple message - now for TV to get it across in an educative and inspiring, gripping, way.

the tone should be informative but entertaining with a serious undertone - and not be afraid to use some shock tactics though people become immune to this after a while so I think appealing to the individual and how they can get involved and feel more connected to the significance of life on the planet and how they can contribute on all levels. Community is so important. Part of the problem is people feeling disassociated with their community and so the global connection feels entirely irrelevant.

‘worthy’ topic would be consumption and recycling or finding new homes for things we don't need or stuff that break s- consumerism / decluttering our lives and seeing how little we need/use

I was interested in the discussion about what people thought about their own responsibilities regarding the environment. I had always looked at the environment as a global concept but I now agree it can be your own street. It follows that picking up a coke can is helping. I do worry that the whole thing about personal effect is a middle class way of saying it's nothing to do with me but then if everyone did it then it really would be nothing to do with us. The political thing is more complex. Petitions aren't such a vbig deal. What people should engage with is the idea of being involved in politics. Everyone is busy but there's no reason not to stand for a local council spot or more if you feel you have a message to get across. People have thing bigger than a placard outside Macdonalds.

For the TV channel, my only view so far is please don't try to make us feel guilty and please don't patronise us. It must be constructive.

I think there has been some very interesting points raised on this board.
The issue of responsibility is intriguing and, as Freeman stated, complex. I think the "live by what you expect from others" is really only a noble and worthwhile maxim on the assumption that local, national and international societies have agreed high standards of scruples that includes the sense of responsibility towards our planet and its sustainability as a home for us, as humanity, and other species of animals, plants and insects (although, I wouldn't mind if wasps were made extinct as they always ruin my summer bbqs together with changing my facade of a cool cook supremo to a jittery wreck absurdo). I don't think that everyone, or enough people in the world, are "singing from the same hymn sheet" in terms of giving a care about environmental issues. If we are of the assumption that everyone has a right to look after the environment. Therefore, I would say there is a good argument for legislation to be introduced to enforce a defined change in lifestyles such as transport and recylcing, which I suppose, could be driven by voter pressure. This would be good if the TV Channel could educate and empower people to act.
However, I am wondering whether, if a channel has too much of agenda that would then:
a. ruin its indifferent approach, which may be needed to give a sense of credibility.
b. put a lot of the key sections of society off (that is middle england who comprise much of the voting masses). For example, I personally find Michael Moore (and his ilk) ridiculous and tend to ignore him. Yes, he may have a point but his sensationalism is sloppy and, at best, just annoying. Like, those extreme preachers who hang out on busy shopping streets condemning the masses to hell if they don't bring some deity into their life. Personally, I would prefer to watch Hollyoaks whilst polishing off a pasta bake and a Red Stripe than being preached at by some self-righteous broadcaster.

I can see that so far we have a main point reoccurring here that echoes the comments from last Wednesday – that of the channel not being too preachy.

It is a tricky one and an admirable task to attempt to create a channel that deals with serious issues about the environment and pitch it right to draw in the masses. As it was once said – TV is chewing gum for the eyes – people just want to switch off when in front of the box most of the time. In fact I’m sure I heard that that the brain uses less energy watching TV than it does when asleep. Weird.

So the channel needs to be engaging and actually prompt action but then people will only get involved if they want to. By tying it in with the website concepts that were discussed last week I think we could have positive action plan. Podcasts and environmental services finders etc could make it a top choice to visit for environmental information and thus get people into watching the channel.

Thankyou all for posting your comments, i have emailed those of you who posted 3 times or more asking for addresses for the incentives (£15) to be sent, thankyou to everyone for your help on the project.

MAW - CONGRATULATIONS, due to your continuous input you have won the extra £15.

Please continue to post comments if you have not replied to the last question

Thanks again