The front and back of the leaflet.
The front and back of the leaflet.
Available as both
The leaflet could of course be improved. But if you wish to redesign the leaflet, bear all the following in mind.
|
Remember Climate Change
|
Why: "Remember" - because a few years ago, almost everyone knew something about climate change and most people were concerned about it, but now most people seem to have forgotten about it. Yet climate change is still one of the most important issues we face, so we need to bring climate change back into people's consciousness.
"Remember" rather than for instance "Stop" or "Take Action On" etc. because this invites the reader rather than telling them what to do.
It invites the reader to Remember whatever they know of climate change, such as the floods and heat waves, the droughts and wildfires, over the past few years in Britain.
Even though 80% of the British population are still concerned about climate change, most politicians ignore it or give it mere lip-service - even the Green Party! The politicians have fallen behind the people.
So we need 'ordinary' people - you and you and me - to remember climate change's importance, and chivvy up the media and politicians about it.
What: "Remember Climate Change" is the immediate message. A simple, statement with large clear lettering, easily understood at a glance, so that even those who do not take a leaflet and read it have been reminded of it. It stimulates people to think.
|
The Ecological Footprint of the UK lifestyle is nearly three whole Earths. |
Why: After the initial jog of memory, this gives people a direct, simple fact that can inform us how serious the problem is. It is not just one problem, but something that sums up a lot of the problems. Indeed, Ecological Footprint goes beyond climate change to depletion of resources, pollution, ecosystem collapse, biodiversity loss, nature depletion, and much more. And it includes something about the deeper causes (though many would not realise that).
Why: A simple fact. An overall problem rather than one specific problem. And, being a concept many might never have heard of, it might arise curiosity, or at least willingness to hear more.
What: "nearly three whole Earths" The average ecological footprint of people in the UK in 2026 was 2.68: wd would need 2.68 Earths if the whole population of the Earth had the UK lifestyle. Put another way, the Earth Overshoot Day, when such a population would have used up 1.0 Earths is May 16th (which is 365 / 2.68 = 136 days into the year. (The Footprint Data Foundataiion puts the UK's ecological footprint per person at 3.6 - even worse but measured differently.)
|
The Graphic
|
What: Pictorially shows 2.68 Earths.
Why: To give people some feeling of lighness and something graphically memorable. (Also, children can colour them in!)
|
That means that if the rest of the world had the same lifestyle as we do nearly 3 whole Earths would be needed to provide the resources we consume and absorb our waste. |
What: This explains briefly what Ecological Footprint means in a way that most readers would be able to understand. It begins to answer any curiosity that might have arisen.
Why: To take the reader one step further on a journey of understanding. Rather than throwing lots of facts at them. We want to engage the reader in thinking with us, rather than just talking 'to' them.
To go even further, see Earth Overshoot Day.
|
We are all responsible, one way or another.
|
Why: To remind people of our responsibility, especially as those within a relatively affluent culture. And to turn any possible growing understanding of Ecological Footprint into something personal. And this lead into the main message ...
|
Remember Responsibility
|
What: This is an even more important message than "Remember Climate Change" because it speaks of underlying attitudes - which influences people's view of a wide variety of problems, not just climate change.
Why: This in fact To bring responsibility into readers' consciousness. Large font, to be taken in when just glanced at.
|
Not an election leaflet, not supporting any political party. Printed + published by A.B. 24 Penrith Cl, WA6 7ND |
What: 1. Explains the status of the leaflet, who is responsible for it, and 2. how to contact them.
Why: First part to forestall any possible legal problems when it is used during an election. Second part, offers the possibility of contacting me if people really want to.
|
d. 260623
|
What: Identifies the version of the document (in this case, the date it was published).
|
Climate change is still happening |
What: A main, clearly grasped, statement. Large font, to be taken in when just glanced at.
Why: Gives one reason to remember climate change. The word "still" is important somehow that I cannot explain.
|
threatening our children, grandchildren and many in poorer parts of the world - and now us. |
What: Reminds (or informs) people of the damage that Climate Change does. Reminds people that we are talking about long-term issues here. This is in addition to the floods and wildfires and droughts that have been harming Britain, and is worse than we have experienced.
Why: To ensure that people know that Climate Change is not just an abstract fact, but something important in life that does damage.
Alternatives: This can be replaced by other statements about damage, suited to the intended readers. For example, in leaflets to be given out in the Boston & Skegness constituency, it is replaced by the fact that Boston & Skegness is the most threatened by mortgage imprisonment by flooding of houses..
|
Ask the politicians: What will you do about Climate Change? |
Why: To suggest to people they have at least some power in the political process. This encourages people to engage. They could even give this leaflet to any politician they meet.
Also, if we ask others, such as politicians, about it, we might also, at a subconscious level, tend to take at least a bit of action ourselves, even if we are not very concerned.
|
Net Zero may be flawed, but it is the best expression so far of how nation and people can take responsibility for the future. |
What: Net Zero is current UK official policy or strategy on reducing climate change emissions, but it is currently under attack. Recently, some politicians utter the slip-off-the-tongue, triple word, "Scrap Net Zero." Easy off the tongue slogan - but what would they put in its place as a strategy to reduce climate change emissions now and in the future. And this gives people something they could challenge politicians with:
"What will you put in place of Net Zero?"
Net Zero might not be perfect, but it is so far the best we have got. (Recently I asked ReformUK what they would put in its place, and they threw me out of their office. They did refer me to their policy documents - but these do not answer the question at all. I can only conclude that currently (5 October 2026) they have no policy. Therefore, ReformUK is far from being a party ready for Government.)
Why: Somebody needs to defend Net Zero; we 'ordinary' people must because nobody else is doing so. Most centre-ground politicians complacently assume it is going ahead, and do not realise what danger it is in. Net Zero needs active defence. Our statement "it is the best expression so far of how nation and people can take responsibility for the future" remind people what Net Zero is, and why it is important and not just a slogan. Our admission that Net Zero might be flawed shows we are for truth and reality, not just taking ideological sides. And that we recognise the possibility there might be a better way of reducing climate change emissions and their damage. It also invites good discussion and thinking deeply about it.
|
And, No!, Net Zero need not wreck our economy |
What: Corrects a false belief.
Why: Because this is one of the main false beliefs that those who do not like Net Zero throw at it.
|
(What does wreck economies is greed, arrogance and unconcern about disasters that climate change brings.) |
What: This explains what does cause that problem.
Why: Because these speak of deeper attitudes that cause the problems. Attitude are what most people understand intuitively. Most people understand these three things. Gus Speth once explained,
"I used to think the top global environmental problems were
biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. ...
I was wrong.
The top environmental problems are
selfishness, greed and apathy
- and to deal with these, we need a spiritual and cultural transformation ..."
And they wreck other things in life too, like health, relationships and economies.
|
Remember Responsibility
|
As above: What: This is an even more important message than "Remember Climate Change" because it speaks of underlying attitudes - which influences people's view of a wide variety of problems, not just climate change.
Why: This in fact To bring responsibility into readers' consciousness. Large font, to be taken in when just glanced at.
|
- and you'll feel better.
|
What: A small personal incentive to remember responsibility.
Why: To end with a personal benefit.
|
Please help distribute this leaflet. Download it, print, cut it up place in shops and into homes and share on your social media |
What: A plea for help, with simple instructions.
Why: To get the leaflet more widely distributed. See Tips on how to go about this.
|
http://rememberresponsibility.org
|
What: This website, from where the leaflet can be downloaded. And with other information like this explanation.
Speth JG (Gus). 2013. Shared planet: Religion and Nature, BBC Radio 4, 1st October 2013. Also in Common Cause Newsletter.
?
Created by Andrew Basden: 5 October 2026. Last updated: 20 October 2026 background-color; more explan of Remember and CC damage.