Modern myths that need to change to achieve sustainable development

Suggestions from Sustainable Staffordshire, Annual Forum 27^th October 2004

1. Doing nothing has no cost - In economics every decision has an 'opportunity cost' based on the potential loss of benefits that might have flowed from decision that were foregone also failing to take action can result in considerable costs at a later date (for example if we fail to lessen our impact on the environment the future cost is likely to be far greater than at present)

2. Building more roads reduces traffic congestion - Evidence suggests that more road space encourages a build up of traffic and removal of a blockage in one place leads to the problem being relocated rather than removed altogether

3. Additional lighting, especially in rural areas, makes people safer - Light pollution can be a considerable nuisance, the contrast between a lighted and surrounding darker areas can lead to accidents and there are other, less energy intensive ways of preventing crime

4. People need to buy new products to keep up with fashion - Fashion is culturally created and the current pressure to change clothes, furniture, cars and other 'consumer goods', for example, could and should be changed to take account of the impact this behaviour is having on our present environment and our future

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