A wrap up of lessons learned

Well, after almost 10 weeks of Sustainability and Community Relations I see it fit to recount what I've learned and apply it to my experience in the working world. As a local government employee for 3 years I see so many downfalls to the approach we take to sustainability and waste management.

Working in the solid waste and environmental realm, I tried endlessly to punch out educational brochures and fancy web pages to entice the public to reduce waste and learn what can/cannot go in curbside recycling bins. I had a read though "Fostering Sustainability", which I've already referenced and realized that brochures are useless. The local government needs to take more proactive approach to education. If I could do it again, I'd love to initiate discussion panels, open houses, and learn from the people that I am trying to teach before I try to teach them. Consultation with the people you are trying to reach is key to ensuring understanding of differing values.

In the region where I worked there was a diverse mix of people from First Nations, loggers, low-income families, pulp mill workers, and activists. An educational campaign tailored to each party may have been more successful than the blanket approach we took.

Also, in having stepped back from my role, I see the lack of trust the public had in the local government. Success in future public participation may be increased if this issue is tackled. Unfortunately, I have no solution for how to do such a thing. Perhaps a slow and deliberate actions that involved the empowerment of the community, which thus far has not really be done.

In 10 weeks I feel more prepared and informed on how to achieve the tasks I was set to do in 3 years of my job.


On an aside: My lovely neighbour, who I previously blogged about has been in the hospital for 2 weeks. Similar to the decrease in social capital that you get when consistently driving to work, I feel my decrease in social capital in her absence.