Thursday 17 July 2008

So, I don't just talk about things I actually do them! Rare indeed amongst academics although I am not such at this time! :-)

Its a nice wood although I wasn't actually supposed to be there. Nonetheless, it was emancipatory to spend two nights out with Mother Nature. I was a little too close during this evening though since a visitation by the local (by the sound of it very large) wildlife in the night left me a little unnerved.

However, I've come back feeling much more relaxed and at peace with the world. Its got to be the best therapy in the book in my opinion. I am glad to hear that more and more of us in the UK are rekindling our interest in camping. There's got to be no better way to understand what all the fuss is about re climate change/global warming/wars, etc.

It can be a beautiful world, if only more of us would get out more, away from the TV and others' views of the world and start forming our own. This way the world really may become a better place for our children and their children.

Friday 4 July 2008

Political Greenwash or Lack of Education?

I partook in this survey of over a thousand global warming/climate change 'key influencers' not so long ago, the results are just in. Seems political leadership is still deemed to be lacking:

"A new worldwide survey of key climate decision-makers shows strong and consistent views that government leaders worldwide need to act quickly and agree on a set of clear, inclusive, and long-term policies in order to put climate solutions in place. The survey comes as countries and regions prepare for the crucial Copenhagen meeting of the UNFCCC and the G8 Summit."

We have around 20 to 30 years to start to put things right. This is not long. Political processes are notoriously slow. Sure, there is progress but we now need to start 'fast-tracking' policies. There is some evidence in the UK that this is starting to happen, e.g. the contentious "eco towns" projects, but education is still required at all levels of society, from the top to the bottom, before true progress is acheived. Meanwhile, whilst we all chew things over, Mother Nature will continue to ruffle her polluted feathers.