Leading the way to fight climate change

‘Leading by example’ - As phrases go, this one is very common. Think about when your local premiership side (Middlesbrough in your bloggers case!) suffer yet another crushing defeat (very rarely in your bloggers case!). Your anger may be quelled by seeing an impassioned interview with the club captain, assuring supporters that he would lead by example to drag his colleagues out of the rut. The current credit crunch has seen almost unprecedented collaboration between leading politicians from the UK to share knowledge, ideas and present a united front in the face of a global crisis - Leading by example in the sense that they are calling for unity. It’s reassuring.

Leadership and leading by example are crucial ingredients if we are to emerge from the global climate crisis that we are currently facing. Two themes underpinning leadership have recently been glaringly brought to my attention. They are 'vision' and ‘recognition of scale and urgency.’ In a recent visit to the EU Parliament, I met politicians with a very clear vision of what a sustainable future may look like. The Leading Green MEP Claude Turmes, outlined the most coherent vision of a low carbon economy which I have yet to hear. It was truly inspirational primarily because Claude had utter conviction supporting his vision. The second point regarding urgency was brought to my attention in helping to compile a regional response to the UK Renewable Energy Strategy. The scale and urgency of action required in order to even get close to the UK target of securing 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020 is incredible. In just 12 years we will need to move from generating approximately 4% of our electricity from renewables to 35%. Almost two thirds of this will come from offshore and onshore wind. It will require innovative thinking, entrepreneurial prowess and determination delivered through a whole host of Organisations and Businesses in the supply chain. It will require unusual partnerships and new consortia to be developed rapidly.

In the hub of activity that is the European Parliament, I learnt that Claude Turmes and a team of around 26 other MEP's had come together to form a team. Together, their combined strength, skills and determination were ensuring radical new actions such as the EU Renewable Energy Directive come into force. A relatively small team leading by example have had and continue to have a massive impact on how we generate energy and how we operate as a society. I felt 'sustainably inspired!’

All of this has got me thinking. At what scale can we show leadership and lead by example in the fight to secure energy supplies for the future and simultaneously tackle climate change? I'm a passionate believer that individuals can make a difference, but working as a team is where we can truly change the world. I'll give you an example. If you make a conscious decision as an individual to be more energy efficient you may save, say 5 tonnes of carbon per year. If however you go home and tell your family and friends how much this has improved your life and that you have a bit of spare cash in the back pocket as a result you can save say 50 tonnes of carbon. Ok, this is not an exact science but you can see where I'm going – it’s like a loose form of teamwork. If you then blog your experiences, you may be able to touch the lives of hundreds of people saving 500 tonnes of carbon and showing people that climate change is important and doesn't have to be all bad.

Which brings me back to our impassioned football captain. His rousing speech to the camera's and determination to lead by example does not just touch him as an individual. His leadership can unite the players. It can unite the fans. Why, it can even unite a whole town! I remember seeing this happen not so many years ago, when a leader and Middlesbrough FC Captain by the name of Gareth Southgate spoke passionately of his determination to end Boro's woes with a vision for league stability and cup glory. Three months later I joined the whole town of Middlesbrough in waving off the team to their first ever major European Final with premiership safety in the bag. Trust me, this was a massive challenge requiring urgent action! This kind of turnaround seemed unimaginable to many and it strikes me as a position with similar attributes to the current situation on climate change. Tackling climate change won't happen that quickly, will not be without pain and may not have a glorious ending (Middlesbrough lost the final 4-0!). But if by uniting as a team of individuals who are passionate about tackling these problems we can make a difference, then that has got to be something worth fighting for. I’m passionate about climate change and energy issues. Are you?!

I would welcome your comments on the potential to lead by example and your experiences of how much influence can be invoked by joining together as a strong team. Of course, this blog is a first and my intention is to bring in a new discussion each week. This one is deliberately open to allow everyone to contribute, I’m happy to take views on how you would like the blog to evolve so please do get blogging!