Hello!
To begin with I've drafted a series of posts exploring the difficulties faced by communities objecting to even the most controversial of developments and the emotional struggles of being labelled a 'NIMBY' (Not in My Back Yard).
The posts will centre on our experiences in setting up and running the CALNI (Communities Against the Lough Neagh Incinerator) campaign over the last three years. We expect that our tussle with 'The Man' will continue for at least another three to four years - so expect a running commentary going forwards!
CALNI is objecting to the construction of what has been dubbed 'The Moy Park Incinerator' at a designated beauty spot on the shores of Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland Santos
It is ironic that our struggle pits a rural Northern Ireland
So why focus on the emotions of being labelled a NIMBY?
Firstly, objecting to developments and being branded a NIMBY is difficult. Nothing ruins the mood at a business dinner, meeting, or party like the mention of an environmental issue such as the CALNI campaign. I've lost friends over it, significant business opportunities, and it has created rifts within my extended family (though not those living in the area).
Objectors are immediately branded as NIMBYs and there's no point denying it. The term was undoubtedly coined by a well paid PR agency on behalf of a 'multinational' walking over a local community at some point in the past. Objecting is a dirty business, and ordinary hard working citizens who care about the value of their homes, the health of their grand children, or just the environment are transformed into freaks and pariah simply by raising valid concerns. The implication is that people who object to developments are 'anti business', 'anti job creation', 'anti progress', 'aren't doing their bit for society' and would rather that 'someone else carried the load'.
That said, the encouraging thing has been that while mention of the environment or the CALNI campaign brings a certain stigma, some of the top business people I've had the pleasure of knowing over the years have been supportive of my position. These included Duncan Niederauer, CEO of NYSE Euronext, who supported my position while I worked there (though it has to be said he did not know the specifics of the proposed incinerator or CALNI campaign - just that I wouldn't take a stance against it without good reason). Peter Fitzgerald of Randox, a former winner of the Irish Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year and South Antrim 's biggest employer, has been outspoken on this issue. The late Sir Allen McClay, probably Northern Ireland
Over the years the CALNI campaign has also been propelled forward by the efforts of Professor Sir George Bain, who ran the London Business School
The series is intended to help communities across the world at loggerheads with 'multinationals' come to terms with being labelled a NIMBY. Hopefully in doing so it will provide some useful insight to help you prevail against all the odds.
Best,
Danny
--------
t: dannymoore_ni
Notes,
No comments:
Post a Comment