The 3.5% Rule… how small numbers can change the world

I’ve been following a lot of threads on LinkedIn lately around the Netflix fishing industry expose ‘Seaspiracy’. It’s emotive, unfair, unjust and there’s a lot of debate about regulation, lack of governmental support and huge frustration from the industry.

It aligned with the newsletter I read this month from Greenpeace too - showcasing the work they were doing around Doggerbed in the North Sea, literally throwing large boulders onto the seabed to protect ‘protected’ marine areas which are still being ‘trawled’ regardless.

It can all seem hopeless, but as the wonderful Christiana Figueres states so often, you have to remain optimistic. Stubbornly optimistic. Gritty optimism.

As a well practiced yogi I’m all for using energy in the right way - and anger is a great energy when used effectively. Anger channelled correctly is super powerful and can really ignite action and create a sustained effort. This anger is not about losing control and flailing fists, but rather, focused, calm and steady steely momentum.

And remember, regardless of how hopeless things can at first seem (and it does, there’s a very real ‘climate anxiety’ that’s fast becoming out of control as more and more people feel they can’t do anything to ‘save the planet’) - remember the 3.5% rule. It only takes a small number of people to collectively unite to change the world.

Compelling research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, confirms that civil disobedience is not only the moral choice; it is also the most powerful way of shaping world politics – by a long way.

Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns. And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change.

For the full insights and practical things you can do… read this great article here from the BBC for more optimistic inspiration. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world - and use your anger, frustration, momentum - and turn it into action. Gather likeminded people, join together and create the change you want to see.

We’re all in this together.

Michelle