Systems over straws - the role of individual action in resource management

We’re constantly told to reduce our carbon footprint, cycle instead of drive, and cut down on waste. But are these individual actions truly making a difference—or are they a distraction from the systemic changes we actually need?

This panel will explore the tension between personal responsibility and large-scale transformation, questioning whether the focus on individual behaviour shifts attention away from the corporations and policies that drive climate change. Using resource management, specifically the 3Rs strategies - reduce, reuse, recycle - as a case study, we’ll examine whether such initiatives are a step in the right direction or merely a convenient way to offload responsibility onto individuals.

Speakers:

Dr Seth Wynes

Dr Marco Sakai

Dr Rana Al-jaibachi

Event chair: Sarah Greenwood

Event is part of the Festival of Debate 2025.