If you don't mind I think I might say something about the environmental situation, which is looking more than a little grim both across the pond and also here, where Brexit will surely be followed by a watering down of environmental protections. And about the local situation as a nearby wildlife pond is due to be filled in, fields are being filled with new houses and a supposed charitable organisation has been indiscriminately ripping down huge towering ivy plants and other valuable foliage.
The biggest boy, the birdwatcher, gave me some horrendous figures for the drop in various common (or now, not-so-common) species the other day. For example, a 62% drop in skylark numbers over the last fifty years, a 71% drop in house sparrows and a 96% drop in turtle doves. That's almost all of them. And down on the ground hedgehogs are faring badly, with numbers at an estimated 50% lower over the past 15 years alone.
As our seas fill with plastic and our land is torn apart and poisoned, pretty much all I can do is keep on doing the little things. Not buying too much of anything. Choosing organic when I can. Walking not driving as often as possible. Looking at exactly what I'm purchasing and asking if I really need it and if there's a greener alternative. Growing a little of my own food. Planting a few flowers for bees and butterflies. Looking after my wildlife pond. Speaking out for another one.
It is heartening to know that many other people feel the same way, are making the same choices and trying to stem the tide. We need to attend to the small things, as well as protesting the big ones. The slow food movement has a saying, I think in response to the merger of Bayer and Monsanto, 'They are giants, but we are millions'. Nothing makes me happier than meeting like-minded souls who care deeply for our planet and the other creatures who make their homes here. Are you with me?
Hey CJ,
ReplyDeleteAll the way, my friend.
Leanne xx
Makes you wonder how we dare call things "progress" doesn't it. x
ReplyDeleteRight beside you. I am literally holding my head in my hands as I watch Brexit strip away vital environmental legislation that will probably be watered down to almost nothing with the new 'post-Brexit Act'; along with government guidance that pushes to the forefront of planning legislation a preponderance in favour of development, as its swingeing cuts mean local government are divesting themselves of the ecologists and archaeologists that have been at the forefront of preserving our natural and historic environment. Having spent years in local government working in the conservation sector and preaching about biodiversity and habitat regeneration I am watching it all being swept away on a tide of ignorance and, dare I say, rampant stupidity. I know I haven't wasted my life but my government makes me feel I might as well have spent it in pointless and vapid pursuits for all the care for our planet's future they exhibit.
ReplyDelete"We are millions". I hope so. I hope each little bit we do helps. I hope that the interests of big business is balanced by a responsible attitude to the world. As that great supermarket giant puts it: every little helps!
ReplyDeleteI think that if we each do a little where we can, it will add up. That is my hope, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with you, CJ. You are a real example of people doing what they can to conserve resources. Each of us can be part of the millions...every little bit helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for an enlightening post and exceptionally beautiful photos. So happy to have found your blog!
Jane x
I'm with you! Over here we watch the news in horror as every single day the Republicans and the idiot president and his horrific cabinet and advisors do another disgusting thing. They are getting rid of the Environmental Protection Agency, allowing more poisons to be used here, letting companies dump sludge in our rivers, running a pipeline of oil sludge from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico... for EXPORT! They are selling out our country and our health for guess what? MORE MONEY FOR THE BILLIONAIRES. I've never seen anything like this in my life.. it's so hard not to feel doomed all the time. Thanks for your concern for us. Hugs, Teresa
ReplyDeleteWith you! Doing a Permaculture Design course in 1995 changed my life.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way to do it. People power is ultimately what drives the world, so we need to educate, educate, educate by any and all means possible. Keep up all your good work, CJ, you're setting a grand example xx
ReplyDeleteA good, heartfelt, post and lovely pictures. I agree wholeheartedly with what you say, and certainly do what I can so yes I'm certainly with you. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteAll the way! We're such a clever species that we'll end up destroying everything...can't see beyond our own noses. x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely CJ. The hedgehog population falls as the badgers rise, a favourite badger snack. :-(. Let's hope somewhere in Whitehall somebody says, 'Hang on a minute.........'
ReplyDeleteI'm with you CJ. We can tend to our own patch and contribute to our own environmental communities, and use strong words of complaint and conviction for the treatment of areas out of the reach of a woman in wellingtons bearing a packet of lettuce seeds, who won't buy plastic unless she really has to.
ReplyDeleteWith you all the way. It is hard not to be dragged into doom and gloom and keep on going despite it all. I am doing what I can to help counteract the shortsightedness of those who govern us but sometimes I feel so utterly powerless. Thanks for bringing a little light into my day. xx
ReplyDeleteI love that line, They are giants, but we are millions'
ReplyDeleteI could weep at the way things are going. I heard on the radio that American climate scientists are so alarmed at what Trump is doing they are going to demonstrate (Monday in New York, I think) This is unprecedented, never happened before.
Doing my small bit as best I can. Buying as little "new" as possible, recycling as much packaging as I can. Crocheting/weaving plastic, feeding wildlife. I don't have a garden but as I live in a ground floor flat I have large tubs and I grow shrubs and trees in these. Old "Butler" sinks hold veg and wild flowers and hanging baskets by my front door hold herbs, tomatoes and strawberries. Keep up all your good work, including teaching the next generation the importance of all life.
ReplyDeleteTotally. We the 'little people' just need to keep doing the right thing environmentally. There are millions of us. It will happen :) B x
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! Great post about a sad state of affairs. As for the house sparrows, let me yell from my house "across the pond" in Pennsylvania, "All of your house sparrows are living in my shed!" We have a thriving population that live in our shed beside our chicken coop. They make big nests out of dried grasses, wood shavings, and chicken feathers, only to have them destroyed by the starlings. However, they busily start right back on a new one. The woods beside our local bikepath are being destroyed for more houses and my toddler has been getting the lectures about suburban sprawl for several years. Let's remember to find the bright spots in the world - I believe that both of our kids can already identify more birds than the common adult. Simple things, but still important in their own way. We have to keep doing our part.
ReplyDeleteAnother hand waving here. Every single day there are reminders across the globe about the impact we've had and continue to have on this wonderful planet we share. Witnessing the impact of climate change and human behaviour in the Arctic and Antarctic had me sobbing. The wildlife victims on our roads has the same effect. If only tears were the solution.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and I am 100% with you. All we can do is try to do our bit even though at times I feel I am fighting a losing battle. I despair some days but then I see something beautiful in nature and know I have to keep fighting.
ReplyDeleteTotally with you. If we all did all the little things you speak of it would make an overall big impact. It feels like a losing battle sometimes but I think we all have to keep plodding on.
ReplyDeleteWith you CJ. We all just need less stuff. Less of everything - plastic, sugar, toys, clothes the list goes on. The less you have, the less you want. you ca really decided what you need and make an good choice when you do need something. Jo x
ReplyDeleteoh dear, I was so enthusiastic I made a mass of typos!
DeleteYep, most definitely. Have to confess we have two diesel cars which we thought were more environmentally friendly when we bought them (grr!) that we are planning to change asap. We can all do something and we have to hope that someone with sense and an eye to the future will get into power one day. Sam x PS Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely with you. x
ReplyDeleteTotally with you. I love that saying from the slow food movement. I'm going to keep that one in mind, and every time I feel like the little bit I do can't possibly matter, I'm going to recite it out loud to myself.
ReplyDeletewith you, always.
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo
Sadly, cats are a huge factor in declining song bird numbers. Ours are now indoor cats with the ability to access an outdoor enclosure whenever they want. -It used to be the chicken yard. Yup. Cat door with covered ramps that traverse the yard to get to it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving me a little hope CJ. I'm sure you saw the appalling "legxit" picture on the cover of the daily fail last week and - I know it's not about the environment - but it feels like we're moving backwards in so many ways. Progress? What progress. But we mustn't give up. X
ReplyDeleteWith you, small steps on a long journey.
ReplyDeleteWith you, small steps on a long journey.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely with you! Leet's just pray that "every little helps" as the ad says.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling your pain my friend. Not only are we ruining the lives of so many people we are now ruing the planet even more than we have before. We have a child for president who does not get his way so makes sweeping changes in things just to be spiteful. THey are taking animals of the endangered lists, selling park lands that have been set aside for future generations, making it easier to buy restricted properties and of course lowering the standards for all corporations so they can make more money. We may never recover from this.
ReplyDeleteI agree we all need less of everything...and each of us needs to be responsible and be mindful. I'm a member of the National Trust, they do good work and strive to keep our national treasure as they were, so that many generations will enjoy them in the future.
ReplyDeleteHello :) Not sure if I've posted on your blog before. I'm happy to read about environmental stuff though, keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why Brexit is seen as a doom and gloom scenario for the environment. Yes, there are things which will change - environmental subsidies for farmers who put aside land will need to be worked out and if subsidies are to be continued that money has to be found. (As much as no one likes paying tax, anything the government spends has to come from somewhere. I'd be happy to have a designated extra tax for environmental use.) but our government is not like Trump and his climate change denial and out from the EU, if we truly do have more control, 'we' can lobby the government to make sure that environmental policies are not eroded - if indeed that is what they wish to do, but I doubt that. All politicians are humans underneath. They all have the same access to our countryside as we do. Why would they want to see that go? Yes it has to be balanced with the economy (a crashed economy definitely has no money for environmental subsidies!), security, development etc, but that doesn't mean it's a non issue to them (and by 'them' I mean whoever is in power) In the mean time, if we all do our little bit, our country, and the environment will be a better place. Which brings me to The People. We tend to associate with like minded people ... it's why I read your blog, it's why others read your blog. We have similar views on a range of topics. But out there ... the public ... many care, but many do not. If everyone did a) that's an awful lot of people doing their best for our environment and having a huge impact. HUGE! But also b) it is a much bigger voice to the government saying look after our countryside, look after our environment.
So rather than worry about what the government might do, do your best to encourage your friends, neighbours and community to do their bit. And encourage them to spread the word too. We are millions. Yes, we are. And the millions need to do their bit rather than point to the government all the time. The millions need to take responsibility for their own actions too!
(and no, I'm not a politician trying to point the finger back at the people, lol!)
Oh I'm definitely with you! And I'm also writing on my own blog about how we can (must) do stuff ourselves to prevent Brexit/Trump being the environmental disaster they could so easily become (as well as personal resistance in general).
ReplyDeleteHow very sad about your local wildlife pond, these things are such a loss not just for the wildlife they protect but also for us as individuals and our communities.
A great post and you know that I am with you all the way! Creating the Green Fortnight was my way of trying to do something against all those negative vibes. A book of the film I mentioned is coming out in April if it is as good as the film it will show us how to take positive action in our communities. Sarah x
ReplyDeletewith you all the way.
ReplyDelete