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Isn't It Terrible?

So, Live 8 is over. The first of the Edinburgh marches has passed off (largely) smoothly. The people involved have gone home and returned to their normal lives. I wonder how many by now have already had the chance to do something positive, but failed to do so - perhaps because they've already "done their bit".

Geldof's politicing has two great dangers. Firstly, it portrays the single big day as the way to make changes in the world. For fund-raising that's true. For political lobbying, it could not be more wrong. To see the truth of this, look at Live Aid's short term success and complete lack of impact on long term politics. Secondly, Geldof implies that only politicians can make a difference, which is bollocks.

Imagine if all the people this Saturday who said "Isn't it terrible? Somebody should do something" actually went and did something. Not necessarily anything big. Buy a Fair Trade coffee not Nescafe. Buy shoes that weren't made in a sweatshop. Wrote to their MP once a month asking what he had done for the world's poor. Donated 50p to a charity that provides clean water to those who don't have it.

Estimates for Live 8's worldwide audience vary enormously. A couple of billion is a common figure. Imagine if every month each of those 2 billion made just one small gesture to help beat poverty. How much would that help change the world? So, don't just say "Isn't it terrible?" Do something. Anything. That's how to make a difference.

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