The problem with many of these stories is that they use abstract figures that don't have any relevance to our everyday lives and end up making our brains hurt.

That eminent social commentator, Ali G, summed it up beautifully when he looked at environmental issues.

"I've heard all the arguments and I don't understand any of them," he quipped. Funny it might be, but it is actually pretty close to the truth for many people.

Consider the arguments about climate change, for example.

When I was growing up, scientists claimed that we were heading for an ice age.

Over the next ten years the focus shifted to global warming.

Now it is suggested that we will experience an ice age brought on by global warming.

While I understand the logic of each of the arguments put forward as part of the debate, the mixed messages don't help me with trying to make my mind up about how I should contribute to help improve the situation.

Tropical rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate, apparently.

Each year an area the size of Wales is chopped down, we are told.

How can anyone really visualise that?

An issue closer to my heart is waste management.

Whenever I give presentations about recycling and waste issues, people are always shocked when I tell them that collectively we throw away enough rubbish in a year to fill Lake Windermere.

Energy efficiency officers often use the statistic that we could close a power station by simply turning the TV and video off rather than leaving it on standby.

These figures are closer to the scale that people can relate to, and actually help to inform them about what they can do to help.

I believe that although people worry about the environment, and may even panic slightly when presented with these type of statistics, most issues are simply too big and difficult for people to think they can do anything about them.

When you keep hearing the same old arguments being trotted out time after time it is also very tempting to just switch off.

"Someone else can do it, but it's not for me as I don't have time", is an argument I often hear.

Campaigners are now becoming more savvy with their campaigns.

For a long time they have realised that what really engages people is an issue at a very local level.

If an issue is going to affect everyday life, people suddenly take a far greater interest.

Expect to see in years to come campaigns that focus on the role of the individual, rather than an abstract concept that sounds worrying but doesn't actually engage people.

This will turn all of us from eco-worriers into eco-warriors.


-------------------------------------
Click here for more Greenwatch.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk