If I was to ask you, dear Ham&High reader, whether you thought these might form any of the jobs we are likely to be doing by the year 2036, what would you say?
And further, do you agree with the sentence: ‘Any future statement of the future should at first seem ridiculous?’
Well, I do… and here’s why.
Last week, Think&Do, in collaboration with Camden Council’s mighty Camden Climate Alliance (camdenclimatealliance.org.uk), hosted a network gathering.
We were joined by over 60 businesses who spent an evening sharing ideas and getting connected to local community groups who are leading the way on positive and meaningful climate action in Camden.
The highlight of the gathering was a salutary, but ultimately hilarious presentation, by Rob Hopkins.
In case you haven’t heard of him, Rob is a pioneer in sustainability and community-driven change, he believes that the future isn’t something we stumble upon, it’s something we actively create.
At the heart of his work lies a question: what happens when we lose the ability to imagine a better world?
For Hopkins, imagination is more than just creativity – it’s a survival tool essential for unlocking the sustainable, resilient, and equitable futures we are desperately in need of.
Rob’s two books: From What Is to What If and How to Fall in Love with the Future (Chelsea Green Publishing) are international best sellers.
They provide page after page of uplifting examples of all the wonderful things going on in the UK and around the world to help bring our communities together. In this political climate I’m sure you agree this is something we all need.
As musician and activist Brian Eno says: “Rob is one of the world’s great optimists. He really believes that things can get better, and where he’s around, they usually do.”
So back to mime artists! I particularly love Rob’s story about a mayor in Bogotá who replaced corrupt traffic police with 420 mime artists – yes, you read it right!
These mime artists took to the streets to combat chaotic traffic and lower high fatality rates. They mocked reckless drivers and pedestrians, while applauding good behaviour.
During his tenure, traffic fatalities fell by over 50%. Sound ridiculous? Well, it’s a true story.
So c’mon dear Ham&High readers, let’s get imagining.
If we wait for governments to create the future we want, it will be too, too late; if we do it by ourselves it will not be enough; but if we unite as one big Camden community of businesses, residents, community groups, it might just be enough, and in enough time.
Join us and together let’s get thinking&doing and do join the Camden Climate Alliance at: [email protected]
