To Demonstrate. To Question. To Push.

15 Jul 2010 – Alicia Ayars

To Demonstrate:

I’d heard rumblings about a protest of considerable size taking place at the BP
Headquarters in St James’ Sq, London on 13 July, 2010. People were gathering to “toot their own horn” and show the public that "BP Blows". I envisioned some 200 angry protestors wielding Vuvuzellas in response to BP’s handling of the Deepwater Horizon crisis. I imagined yelling, protesting, righteous anger. While I didn’t think it professional to join in the demonstration, I at least wanted to be a witness
to proactive passive action.
 
It has surprised me up to this point that, with the exception of Greenpeace,
society’s anger has been largely subdued and regionalised. Where are the global protests, marches, relief concerts? Where is the outrage? I am disgusted by the destruction of some of the most vital, thriving, beautiful coasts of my country, but short of riding my bike more frequently, I have done little to take a stand. Finally, I thought, people that were braver, perhaps cared more, were angrier than I was, and were going to do something.
 
To Question:

To say that I was disappointed would belittle the 20-odd people that did arrive, throw on a t-shirt and try to make a difference. I don’t believe that their actions were without meaning and they will most likely sleep better than I will tonight; safe in the knowledge that they fought for a worthy cause. I, on the other hand, will go to sleep with more questions now than I had when I dressed for work this morning.
 
Primarily I wonder what kind of catastrophe needs to occur to really inspire citizens. If BP spilling oil into the Gulf of Mexico for nearly three straight months isn’t enough to incite rancorous action, what will? Perhaps we can turn to the Niger delta and Shell’s involvement in an environmental disaster that far outweighs (if possible) that of the Gulf. Anything? I didn’t think so.
 
Are we, as a society, so apathetic that unless something affects us personally, we will let disaster after disaster occur before we hold the culprits accountable? I sincerely hope not, but without evidence to prove the contrary this is the only conclusion I can draw.
 
Next, I come back to a perpetual question: are citizen demands for accountability are taken seriously by large multinationals like BP? It is a shame that due to the relatively small number of protestors today, their impact will be reflected proportionately. What is necessary is mass action. What is missing is mass action.
 
Lastly, I ask why it seems as if we need a catastrophe in order to inspire us. Not that I believe society is in need of a good crisis, but it seems to be the only way to wake people up. Why don’t we pursue preventative action? We are the most connected generation in history, yet we seem unable to use our power, as consumers of goods and information, to push for the kinds of changes our planet needs.
 
To Push:

In all of what I have said and seen, I note the trend towards apathy. I realise that I am not the first person to ask the above questions, nor will I be the last. When pressing my friends and contacts for their thoughts on sustainability I am routinely presented with every excuse in the book from, “I’m just one person, why does it matter?” to “What can we do, our society is built around capitalism, economics and consumption. I can’t change the system.” I find these excuses tiresome and no longer good enough, but I too am out of
ideas.
 
So I push the following questions to any and all of the readers out there.

1. What inspires you to act?
2. How do you envision accountability in the future?