What's a Futuremaker?
See what's going on
We reckon the first step of Futuremaking is seeing what's really going on.
There is a future being made for us. Here at WWF, we've noticed a few problems and we've got a couple of queries about the way things are going right now. And we think you might too.
If the current rate of climate change continues, the Great Barrier Reef as we know it will be destroyed
© WWF-Canon/Cat HOLLOWAY
If we do what we are told; if we fail or forget to see what's really happening to our weather, our food, our water, and the animals and plants we're meant to be caretakers of, somebody is benefiting, and it isn't us.
It's time we stopped doing what we're told. Every moment we are told to keep buying, keep talking, keep entertaining ourselves, keep using more than the Earth has got to give.
The call for Futuremakers to come out and be counted stems from the idea that there are lots of people who think we can do things a whole lot better.
What future do you choose?
Seeing what other people are 'making' for our collective future is a crucial step. The next step is deciding whether that is ok with you. And then if it's not, making sure you're part of the solution - in whatever way you can.
We believe we're only just starting to realise the power of an individual choice made everyday and millions of times over.
As for the first step, there is much that science is finding out for us about the disasters we will face. Futuremakers know that. Without a revolution in the way we see the environment, disasters are being planned for us on our behalf, despite what those scientists say.
It is clear now that we are making our own weather, a climate crisis is already in motion, we are using 20% more resources than the planet can reproduce, the global fishing fleet is 2.5 times larger than the oceans can sustain, we are losing eight species every hour and a third of humanity is experiencing moderate to high water stress.
Yet we are told to forget about it, or we're never told.
We still have time (just...)
WWF knows a few Futuremakers - you may be one already - and we know that it is only a critical mass of people who decide to make a stand that will make a difference, that will move us away from the disasters being planned for us.
The most compelling thing the scientists are saying to us is this: We have a window of opportunity to make monumental changes in the way we go about business and how we live our lives.
Daintree River, North Queensland, one of the many natural areas threatened by environmental degradation
© WWF-Canon/Frédy MERCAY
After that, all bets are off. Mucking around with the atmosphere, causing collapses in animal populations, polluting or over-consuming our limited water resources all have consequences and even scientists can't predict accurately just how bad it is going to get.
Futuremakers know that these are extraordinary times to be living. Progress has meant we, as individuals, have a choice over how the future looks for billions of people.
Your choice, amplified
We've inherited all the liabilities and responsibilities of the 10,000-year human experiment.
Yet we know that change starts with the individual and the change is amplified every time another person remembers that they must make a difference, be a little smarter, consume a little less, buy only from those who are part of the solution.
That's what a Futuremaker does.
We believe Futuremakers can use their power to make a monumental change in the market, in politics, in their communities and in how we all go about our lives. If we demanded 100% clean energy now, and nothing less, and we pushed for water recycling systems, captured rain where it falls and unleashed our creativity to make sure we care for our plants and animals; it would be a future of our own making.
Climate change is stuffing up our health and lifestyles, will wreck whole economies, and despite knowing how to fix most of it our governments refuse to move towards the solutions. We have to tell them what we think.
More than 85% of humanity has signed the Kyoto Protocol, Australia has not. Scientists have found that if we follow our government's lead and continue the 'business as usual' burning of coal and wasting energy we'll lock ourselves into four degrees of warming. And that, apparently, is ok with them.
We believe there are some things that you have to take a stand on. Have an opinion, make a change.
Over to you
We're glad you're coming with us; we're going to need some help. Over the coming months we'll be sharing with you all the things we're not being told elsewhere and telling you about the solutions we reckon every Futuremaker should be a part of.
Then it's up to you.
Take action
Many of us don't realise that more than 80% of our electricity is generated by burning coal. This creates greenhouse gas pollution that is contributing to the overheating of the Earth - commonly known as climate change.
If all Australians switched to clean, renewable energy (Green Power) today, Australia's total greenhouse pollution would be cut by 30%. That's the equivalent of 13 million cars, three million more than we have on our roads now.
Green Power is supplied to your home in exactly the same way as your current energy supply. Be a Futuremaker - call your electricity supplier and ask to switch. It's that easy!
Visit our list of accredited Green Power providers to find out more.
