Sarah Berger

What is it you do?

I'm an activist with Brighton and Hove World Development Movement (WDM) and we campaign to tackle the root causes of poverty.

Our current campaign is about climate injustice.

While rich countries are responsible for most of the emissions pumped into the atmosphere, it is the poorest communities in the world which will be hit the hardest by climate change.

Why did you pick that?

Because WDM focuses on the underlying causes of global injustice and this means challenging how we in the West benefit from the exploitation of poor nations. Our aims are incredibly ambitious, I know, but if I'm going to work my socks off for a good cause it may as well be for something pretty big.

What is your latest green obsession?

Helping to organise a public meeting called Climate Change - Is corporate power cooking the planet? on Wednesday April 16 (7.30pm, Brighthelm, North Road, Brighton). Methods to deal with climate change such as carbon-trading, carbonoffsetting and biofuels are really about satisfying corporate interests. This meeting will look at how corporate globalisation is preventing us tackling climate change.

How hard is it to be truly green in Sussex?

I live in a village six miles from a station so I am still horribly dependent on my car. Brighton and Lewes seem pretty advanced environmentally, though.

Transition Town Lewes is buzzing and I know the Brighton TT group will keep the pressure up, too.

Carbon-offsetting, yes or no?

It can be a nice gesture but it is usually a smoke-screen allowing for business as usual.

What's your guiltiest green secret?

Staying in the shower too long. And I really want to attend a conference in the USA this summer but I will have to fly so I'm wrestling with my conscience.

What's the biggest thing you have sacrificed to be green?

Flying. I am trying to limit myself to one return flight per year.

Are you a climate worrier or an optimist?

Both. We in rich countries are historically responsible for 70 per cent of man-made carbon emissions, yet we want to shrug it off and blame China and India.

So I feel daunted by the prospect of turning that around. But at the same time I believe in the power of individual and collective action. Public opinion is changing very fast, which is exciting.

What's your skill for when the oil runs out?

I'm a war baby so I can scrimp and save and I hope I can live simply. Also I can organise and motivate people and we sure as hell will need to do that.

In a nutshell, what's your philosophy on green living?

The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible.

2:49pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

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