Out of a crisis this Christmas, there is the chance for real change to emerge*. And it’s seeing more signs of that, that has filled me with hope this Christmas, despite the economic downturn. Jobs are critical to the health of society, whether they are in the developed world or the so-called developing world.

Economic stability can strengthen the fabric of society and the individual’s self-esteem, but in many countries, big salaries have become synonymous with self-esteem, despite the enormous social value of unpaid or low-paid work in the family or community. Why should society glorify the rich? Unless it is someone who got there through unexploitative means and respecting legal and transparent processes, of which there are few.

Staff from People Tree UK started the Christmas celebrations calmly…
…before becoming slightly more animated as the evening progressed!
My first Christmas present came from the US President-elect Barack Obama, who has announced on 20th December the appointment of two leading scientists who have long fought for urgent action on global warming. John Holdren and Jane Lubchenco. This will usher in the greenest administration the US has seen and stimulate a green economy and millions of green-collar jobs. Once US homes are fully insulated, and recycling schemes functioning, I imagine there will be considerable work in educating people to lessen the environmental impact of their lifestyles and global citizenship. Gordon Brown followed Obama’s lead yesterday, saying he would support green-collar jobs too. Not only will green jobs feed us, they help us learn more about humanity and the stuff that helps glue society together. And let’s face it, in many circumstances that’s worth as much as money if not more.

People Tree in Japan celebrated Christmas with an ’80’s themed party. Nami (left), our ‘ghost buster’ won first prize.
My second pressie is the banning in Britain of highly toxic pesticides used in food and the environment, by the EU. Not only are they suspected of being cancer-causing, they are gender-bending too (I’d much rather odd-shaped vegetables than odd-shaped children). Half of the food we eat throughout Europe has been discovered to be contaminated by pesticides, of the 10 found, 6 are considered ‘most dangerous’. There will also be a ban on 22 particularly hazardous chemicals used in herbicides, fungicides and insecticides used in our parks and playgrounds. And no longer will my organic-loving friends in rural areas of the country have to put with landowners doling aerial spraying of poisons over whole mountainsides. There is hope that this may also save the European bee population, that has been in steep decline in the last 2-3 years (It’s thanks to these little critters and their industrious pollination that we eat what we eat). Market solutions and alternatives have to be found, but gradually safe food will be within everyone’s reach.
Slowly scientists are being listened to rather than hushed up by powerful industrial lobbies, and as daughter of a scientist who had a great sense of humanity, I like that.

Please note; these are costumes and not People Trees new collection!
The third are stocking-fillers, lots of them, in the creativity and compassion that people around me are showing in the face of a downturn. Re-thinking what is important in life, simplifying it, down-sizing; society works as we are mutually dependent, whether rich or poor, working or out of work. Home-made lunch boxes eaten together, more time together that is afforded by cooking and eating together at home using real food (not that awful stuff delivered off identical trucks nationwide), swapping clothes, and giving ‘Change this Christmas through Fair Trade, organic, green, recycled and made especially for you stuff.

No, People Tree doesn’t employ children! ‘Onyanko Club’ was a major school girl group in Japan during the ’80’s!
The economic system that is built on short-term, quick profit with no accountability and transparency is over. How quickly can our policy-makers help to usher in new economic models that can use business as a tool for social empowerment and sustainability? Gordon Brown must recognize the potency of the Social Business and Fair Trade movements in doing this, and help them scale. But we’ll not be waiting for him, will we? We’ll continue to build a more humane face of society and economics with or without him. Our Christmas present to each other. Thanks to all of you who have helped so much this year.
*The Chinese character for “crisis” is two parts, one part means “chaos” and one part means “change”.
Happy Christmas to all of you! x