Sussex group calls for ‘three Rs mantra’ to be used to relieve press on planet

At this time of remembrance I am reminded of my early life growing up in the years following the Second World War as the country concentrated its efforts to recover from the terrible loss of human life and depleted resources.
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In both the classroom and outside we became familiar with the mantra of the three ‘Rs’. At school this meant Reading, Writing and Arithmetic and at home it was Repair, Re-use and Recycle. As basic goods were in short supply and luxuries few and far between the vast majority of homes had little choice but to make what they had last and, when its purpose had been fulfilled, adapt it for some other purpose. This happened at an individual level by, for example, making clothes last longer such as turning the collars on shirts and blouses, as well as at a national level such as the use of glass bottles for milk that, when empty, we washed and put on the step to be collected the next day.

When the primary purpose of something we owned had been fulfilled and it could not be immediately adapted to another purpose it was put by for later use. As those of you who are of my generation might agree, the habits we formed when we grew up have never left us – so we find it difficult to throw away anything that we think ‘may come in useful one day’; tin cans, containers, broken tools, bits of wood, left over wool, paper and much more.

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As life gradually improved during the 50s and 60s and the general level of prosperity began to rise, it was only natural that we all became more indulgent and, when possible, take advantage of what was on offer. We were encouraged to spend beyond our immediate means by, for example, buying on the ‘never, never’ (a down payment followed by instalments). These instalments were originally collected at the door by ‘tally-men’, and then later through formal Hire-Purchase agreements.

Sussex Green Living SUS-201028-150415001Sussex Green Living SUS-201028-150415001
Sussex Green Living SUS-201028-150415001

Gradually the country worked its way to a better place, manufactured goods arrived in the shops, uses for the new ‘wonder material’ plastic became more widespread, prosperity increased and our habits began to change. The pendulum of circumstance began to swing from an attitude of save and conserve to one of spend and consume. We welcomed the arrival of new labour-saving devices that made our lives easier and provided more time for leisure and relaxation. This new attitude helped the country recover from the destruction of the war, rebuild our infrastructure and create a strong foundation on which to approach the 21st century.

However, the pendulum continued to swing to the point where we have become a nation of conspicuous consumption and a throw-away society. Global materialism has exacerbated the depletion of the Earth’s natural resources and hugely amplified the level of pollution. Daily we hear stories of pressure on this precious planet of ours such as destruction of rain forests, melting glaciers, micro-plastic particles entering the food chain and species extinction. Nobody wants to experience again the scale of devastation caused by the world war but there is increasing evidence it is beginning to return through the effects of climate change. Unless we increase our efforts to respond to the unwelcome signs of these changes the threat will almost certainly grow. As the evidence mounts it is imperative for us to return to that co-operative spirit so evident during and after the war and make a concerted effort to reduce this pressure on the planet.

It is encouraging that more people are now beginning to become aware of the danger, especially the younger generations who, of course, have the most to lose. I would suggest there should be more conversations between those of us old enough to remember post-war Britain with the young people of today so they can apply the same attitude and approach to the three ‘Rs’ but in a modern context.

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Locally the initiatives driven by Sussex Green Living and other eco-conscious groups are raising awareness and also having a positive impact on behaviour change. It is absolutely true, as it was in the 1940s and 50s, that the individual effort made by each one of us today will collectively help the pendulum swing back to a more balanced and sustainable position. Every small step taken to reduce our carbon footprint either directly or by reducing our consumer demand makes a contribution towards achieving this goal. The more we all live the mantra of Repair, Re-use and Recycle the better the chance this beautiful planet of ours will have to flourish.

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