There’s a great story from the book Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Dan and Chip Heath about a man riding an elephant. When you visualize this scenario it seems that the man is in control. His instructions and swift movements direct the elephant at will. But there is something a little more fundamental that we all recognize. The man is only in control to the point the elephant is willing. The elephant, if provoked, could easily toss the man off his back.
We also battle this dynamic within us between the rational side of our brain (the man riding the elephant) and the emotional side of our brain (the elephant). We often do what we logically know is not the best option.
In order to truly effect change or motivate someone to act, it is not enough to convince the man riding the elephant. We must also motivate the elephant.
I tell this story to make an important point about getting to “net zero energy“. Facts and figures will not win the day. They are necessary to be sure but we must start with the emotion, the why. No change will ever happen unless those who need to change understand why they need to change. When it comes to “net zero energy” we all need to make changes, and many of us realize that, but few of us understand the why.
At ALCSE we are working on building a social movement. One of our goals at ALCSE is to educate people about why this change needs to be made and why they should make this change. But, just as importantly we hope to inspire this change and this movement to “net zero energy.” The greatest changes in our history were won with passionate people who inspired us all to act. We hope you’ll act with us.
