A voice in the wilderness?

Like I can get this lot to change their minds: Striking a balance on climate warnings

Navel-gazing is, one has to concede, hard to resist. And for some it can be profitable. While there's no doubt that some self-analysis can be worthwhile, if not downright necessary.

This piece raises some key points about the mindset of what, I rather suspect, is a vocal minority, and generally from the extremes of the (Probably man-worsened, negative impact - my preferred prefix) climate change 'debate'. And it is a fair complement to another, raised recently on these pages, which sadly was closed for comment before any could be made:

http://junkk.blogspot.com/2008/04/ears-of-babes.html
(now I have.. a cheeky fix, sorry)

I prefer not to get into these endless 'tis/t'isn't happening' matches as they seem, frankly, unwinnable exercises in going nowhere... if loudly and painfully.

And with the vast pressures of environmental issues having to be weighed against the equally potent influences of economic factors on a finite living space with increasing population, I have nothing but sympathy with those in power sincerely (important distinction) trying to understand where 'we' are, where 'we' are going, need to go and hence make some well tricky decisions whilst keeping their jobs.

But as a matter of principle, in motivating more than those who just like to tick a box or score a debating point, I'd simply like to advocate that those who truly do care about the future, and would like to try and influence our progress into it (I was going to add 'for the better', but that opens new cans of worms) spend a wee bit more time on encouraging the positives. And certainly a lot less blowing up, and blowing up over the all too frequent nags, nannies, bans, woes, fines, guilt trips and other less than inspiring or motivating methods that are mostly being used to such 'great' effect (not) in getting the majority of the public as individuals to try a bit harder to change their collective lifestyles.

Seek end-benefit-driven, reward/incentive-based actions, make them work and share their successes. And people may well get on board. Seems to work with most advertising in our consumer-driven systems.

Endless doom and gloom is not the best motivator. Which is why life assurers don't sell policies based on 'You're gonna die!' as the primary message, no matter how accurate and to the point it may be.

But sadly, 'Good News' is accepted as a tough sell in the media world. Maybe time to rise to the challenge of making it work... and profitably?

Yes, the title does say 'striking a balance', which seems to accept that the near total commitment to 'we're all doooomed' is not working, but I fear the advocacy to seeking a new way of persuasion is too little... hopefully not too late.

I just want to achieve a result. Don't care too much how it's done, so long as it is done well, for the right reasons... and quick.