Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor… It's time we all think about how we can reduce the environmental impact of our own profession.

The change required to create a sustainable society and heal the damage caused by global warming and the overuse of natural services will involve an evolution of almost all aspects of society. Carbon trading, zero emissions, full cradle-to-cradle product life cycles, small business management, projecting futures: all aspect of our life will be touched by the need to reduce our impact on the environment.

The rise of the internet stimulated an evolution that is changing the way all professions in our economy work. In a similar, yet more profound way, the dire need to place our society on a more sustainable environmental footing is triggering a rapid transformation of all parts and roles in our society, economy, and places of work.

As with any change, there will leaders, opportunities, risks and challenges. However, driving this change will be people who have been open-minded enough to understand our relationship with and responsibility to the environment and astute enough to assimilate this learning into their profession.

Do it now!

Confronted with the need for society-wide change, we need to build and apply our stores of wisdom and courage. The acquisition of knowledge and a discussion about our future, unencumbered by hubris and ego, is sorely needed.

Speak to your professional association - Ask your professional group about current thinking, discussion groups and projects that are starting to assimilate environmental responsibilities into your professional area.

Investigate the latest research on sustainability in your field - University departments, PhD studies, academic papers and environmental think tanks are constantly exploring the environmental issues. Read, learn, discuss and form your own understanding of the current trends and thinking.

Get active and start a discussion group with your colleagues - If you work in a professional firm or an organisation with groups of people doing essentially the same roles, try starting a discussion group to generate and develop ideas about ways your professional group could assist the journey to sustainable society.

Why this action

is

important

The global environment has been spiralling downward for the best part of a century; it is only now that the symptoms of this slow decline are becoming apparent in the form of extreme weather, drought and species extinction. We are beginning to realise the fragility of the natural systems that support us.

To reverse this downward spiral all aspects of society need to take up the challenge of assimilating environmental thinking into their daily practices and professions.