Tessa Vaendel,
Noor Debets,
From the previous paragraphs it can be concluded that food and energy are the most relevant trends on Texel on this moment, since most (successful) sustainable initiatives belong to these categories. However it was also concluded that most sustainable initiatives are in its establised phase, and that there is a lack of new sustainable initiatives. By taking a wider perspective and to look outside Texel, we try to find inspiring sustainable initiatives that could be useful for the case of Texel.
Currently, a great example of an inspiring initiative is the transformation of the Samsø island in Denmark that has a self sufficient energy supply nowadays. Hereto, Søren Hermansen comes with bright ideas in his TEDxCopenhagen talk. The main focus of the talk is the widespread public participation, since embracing the entire community and taking responsibility for the island are important in creating a sustainable future (Hermansen, 2013). It seems, and this can be related to the Texelaars too, that locals are proud and therefore responsible for their island. But in doing so it does not necessarily mean they can translate the climate change from the big world perspective into an own local perspective. And with letting the people from the mainland ("vastelanders") in, Texelaars are still dismissive towards them. Hermansen notes the importance of cooperation and attempt not to think for others but with others. Focus on the engagement of one another and how to make them co-responsible: it is all about communication. (Hermansen, 2013)
An other interesting example is focussed on how people like to cooperate with each other, in order to create support. Like Walker's literature study reveals, the hardest part is about the way the community builds it confident and capabilities (Walker, 2013). An example is found in an article posted by the Volkskrant that tells the story of, initially resistance for refugees to come to Amersfoort and, after all, the resistance towards them to leave again. A communality seemed to be built up whereabout disagreements where initially the case. This example shows the need of proper communication too. The refugees appeared to come to Amersfoort and citizens were against it. In order to keep transparency, citizens had the ability to follow the entire decision-making online. Immediately, after actual decision making, everyone was informed with letters sent by bike courier. The mayor went into town for personal explanation and a live-blog was installed. This gave people the possibility to ask questions in any form, since not everyone is brave enough to ask questions in public during public debate. In some districts people were very contrarious, but with special neighbourhood policy early adopters persuaded the stubborn people (Bolwijn, 2015). One-to-one explanation has shown its importance. In the end, everyone agreed and welcomed the refugees all together. This example shows that clarity and transparency are key-elements.
It is not only by literature or proven in other parts of Holland, or the world (i.e. Samsø), that communication is a key-element. Texel experienced this by itself too during the involvement of Urgenda on the island. Urgenda is an organisation that "aims for a fast transition towards a sustainable society with a circular economy" (Urgenda, 2015a). Hereto they contribute to many sustainable projects on the Dutch mainland, but on the Wadden Islands too. Unfortunately the projects started at Texel did not succeed and they turned to Vlieland among others. It seemed they blamed the Texelaars for being stubborn and not willing to cooperate (Urgenda, 2015b). On contrary, an interview with Wim Ploeg showed that the Texelaars felt like duties were imposed, and genuine cooperation did not exist (Ploeg, 2015). This is in line with the other examples mentioned above.
Conclusion: In the approach towards Texelaars, we (as a group of students researching and designing for the socio-technical system in Texel) have to listen to them and not only act interested, but actually be it. We should question ourselves; how to be responsible for the common? And communicate with each other instead of visit and impose duties. Examples of grassroots innovation, that are small-scale interventions integrated in the socio-technial system, can play an important role. In order to steer the sub-system in the desired direction the group that is most willing to work should first be contacted in such way they can guide the stubborn ones to turn negative into positive. Resistance will decrease and this will be spread by others.