Reclamation!

Can't See the Wood for the Trees?

There's an interesting development at "Maer Hills" Maer, Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK (the felled areas in the linked Google aerial photo are supposedly where anemometer masts may be hoisted).

The proposal is to build an "eco village" on a 'green site' (woodland) including wind turbines, 'holiday homes', even a golf course, allegedly!




Here are three aspects of the argument:

1. Local demography.

2. Community opposition to renewables.

3. 'Community' opposition to the presumed motivations of developers.

I'm sure there are many more arguments but these are a start. It also looks like (from the website designs, language, etc.) that there may be differences in attitudes amongst generations, classes, etc.

The property developers, Claymoss Properties, indeed do not appear to have a website so it is difficult to present their side of the argument. The planning applications are in the local planning office though - as they were in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. (Watch out for those Vogons, clever people but appalling poetry!)

It certainly makes 'back to the woods' difficult if there aren't any trees.

I really do wonder if this whole enterprise is doing more harm than good?

Polarisation of communities may be good for business (in this instance) but it is bad for social cohesion. We need to be united not divided if our species is to survive this millennium en masse.

When It's Gone It's GONE!

City Slicker or Country Bumpkin?

So cities "have the highest potential for eco-living" according to Colin Butfield, campaigns manager of the WWF-UK. I'd absolutely (presently, at least) disagree.

To me cities are the epitome of centralised economies which tend to lead to increased transport (delivery of goods/provision of services) as well as untold 'social problems'.

Its an easy exercise, I did it just last night, but start in any city centre and steadily walk out of it, in one direction, until you are beyond the city limits. Note the differences as you encounter the various strata of socio-economic 'development'. This includes detritus (such as used syringes, discarded alcohol bottles and litter in the city centre) to environmental conditions (such as fresher air, natural smells and calmer traffic in the countryside).

I did muse last night that planned cities may be different, such as Dongtan, near Shanghai in China. But, the jury is still out. My own suspicion is that more autonomous, smaller communities may be a better solution. If, indeed, there is a solution. In other words, we should go back to just the way things probably were some time ago before everything got out of control:

I think 'developing nations' would be wise to pay heed to some of these kinds of issues in 'industrialised nations'.

Bumpkin may be a derogatory term and not particularly fashionable but I'm guessing that too will have to change.

Re: Evolution

Terrence McKenna penned this awesome lyric with The Shamen some time ago. It quite succinctly declares the current crisis.

Quiet Time

Sorry I haven't been posting much here. I have been doing a lot of walking and little talking. Maybe, come the Winter, I can write a bit more again. My advice? Get out! :-)

walk the talk!