Categories: values
Tags: environment, co-op
Date: 26 June 2007 10:28:02
I'm a member of the Co-op, and I also bank with them, having made a decision a few years ago that I don't want my money to be invested in unethical practices. In witholding my business from those who would invest in anything from arms trading to animal testing and unsustainable environmental policies, I can very easily, and with no inconvenience to myself (the co-op offers competitive interest rates and I've *never* had a problem getting online or phone support unlike friends who bank elsewhere!) make a real stand for what I believe in. Have a look at the website, make the switch, I'd reccommend it. Anyway, this wasn't supposed to be a plug..
As a co-op customer, I recieve information with my bank statements updating me on their latest customers who care campaign, which every year donates a percentage of money spent on debit/credit cards to a range of charities working towards a particular cause. Every customer is sent details of a number of charities, and invited to vote for one. The funds are then shared out between them according to the percentage of the vote each recieved (so everyone's say is important!). This years campaign focuses on climate change, and offers 5 charities to choose from. This time I was torn, two possibilities caught my attention. The first is Transport 2000, an initiative to encourage sustainable transport solutions in the UK, aiming to bring people together to combat possibly the greatest cause of rising CO2 levels. An admirable cause surely? The other possibility was Waste Watch, another charity promoting sustainable use of resources. However, with this one, the co-ops funding will go towards its 'New School: New Environment' project, working within schools to educate and inspire children (and staff) to put into action various solutions to sustainability within their everyday lives.
So, while the idea of sustainable transport is appealing, surely the future in terms of saving this planet lies with the children? If the next generation can grow up not only believing in the need to conserve energy and reduce waste, but doing such without thinking, then we might have a chance. But is all this just pie in the sky? Is there really any chance for one small campaign, run by a movement which many people would classify as being full of idealist hippies, and really not up to competing with the 'big boys'? Well, the answer would be no, if we all were to give up on that basis. But what if we don't?