The Otesha Project (Australia): Cycling for Sustainability

The objectives of our organisation are to increase awareness about the impacts of the products and resources we consume, increase the number of responsible consumer choices made by young Australians, and increase the number of young role models and sustainability advocates. Current consumption behaviours in Australia have far reaching consequences that are both unsustainable and inequitable. The n

egative impacts of these practices usually affect the most disempowered people in society, including young people who now face an uncertain future. It is vital to ensure that the basic needs of the entire global community are met by reducing excess consumption, avoiding environmental damage, and ensuring that we are considering all peoples needs through social considerations for safe working conditions and fair living wages. We believe that the problem is not that people don’t want to change, but that they don’t understand why change is needed or that they feel overwhelmed by the size of the problems and can’t easily see ways to be part of the solutions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for programs that shift attitudes about the impacts of our daily choices, build positive social norms, and reduce the perceived barriers around taking action on sustainability issues.