News Comment

Can you imagine not wearing a seatbelt on your next car journey? Or lighting a cigarette on the Underground? Or expressly deciding not to provide disability access to an event or venue? Not so long ago all of these reckless, antisocial, inconsiderate actions were commonplace. There was debate and disagreement surrounding all three, but the knowledge that such actions could and did result in death, disaster and discrimination was not enough, by itself, to change our behaviour. Then came legislation and we found that not only was change possible, but that the new behaviours brought real improvement. In retrospect, a lot of people thought we must have been mad not to do these things earlier.

Now think carbon reduction. Nosheen Iqbal’s frustrations are understandable (‘Eco worriers and warriors’, AP218). The slowness of some theatre managers to take carbon reduction seriously is perplexing, and helps make initiatives such as the Theatre Trust’s £900k Ecovenue project look like hand holding, when they incentivise and support professional businesses to take actions that they should be taking anyway. After all, energy saving and its consequent reduction in carbon emissions is such a no-brainer – it saves money and it helps save the planet. What could be clearer?
But have you invested in that double glazing, or changed all your light bulbs to LEDs? We want to, we mean to, but somehow there are other pressing priorities that seem to take precedence. Through piloting an action research programme, ‘Low Carbon Culture’, David Powell Associates is finding that it is much the same for arts managers, who struggle to prioritise action to counter climate change over running their businesses and balancing their budgets. Short-term pressures get in the way of taking long-term decisions.
So, should we in the arts simply sit it out until the legislation, which is clearly on the way, makes us take action? Or await the safety of tested measures and accreditation marks before taking the plunge? Arts organisations do need help. It’s a tough agenda and we should ensure we do this well and get the support we need. But we should also take pride in our capacity to inspire, to take the long view and to be courageous. What I find so refreshing about the artist-inspired 10:10 climate campaign is that it offers information, inspiration and advice, but at its core it places the responsibility for action with us all as individuals and organisations – where it belongs. We can take actions to reduce our carbon emissions now. So let’s get on with it, on our own terms, with imagination and commitment.