Trinity of Despair

I like the idea of the Trinity of Despair that Professor Maniates discussed in the video conference. I think the ideas of human nature, social change and environmental strategy are appropriate headings to include. I think that the largest factor is human nature. Humans are by nature selfish and self-interested creatures. It will make the social movements and the environmental strategy that much more important to override the disaster and destruction wrought by human nature.

If it has not helped me think in different ways about how to be an effective environmental change agent then the concept would not be so interesting to me. It is especially important because it has made me realise that not only one of these concepts is going to be enough. In order to have effective environmental change, there needs to be elements of all three involved. The strategy must be there, but it should have an underlying assumption that people will get something out of it (appeal to their selfish nature- they will gain something if they support whatever strategy and plan is chosen). The social movement can start small at the bottom and work up but there can also be a joint top-down approach. The social movement will help to push the strategy.