Judith Russenberger

Counting on … day 410

17th December 2022

Delegates at the Biodiversity COP are working to define what it is to be ‘nature positive’. I would hope it means a default of working with rather than against the natural environment wherever possible. One of the Guardian correspondents commented that little is being said about how we as individuals can be ‘nature positive’, adding “Dietary changes, for example, is one of the most significant things people reading this could do to reduce their impact on biodiversity, namely cutting meat consumption.”

Advent 17

December 2022

This drawing from 1673 by Adriaen van Ostade presents a cheerful scene. People are making music, bowling, walking the dog, drinking, sharing a meal, having a chat. Standing in the doorway is the proprietress. She must be an industrious person for over the door are two bee skeps, higher up a dovecote, and by her feet, hens.

A pub can be a welcome place for a traveller needing a break, a relaxed place to meet friends, to share passions – darts or skittles, watch sport, book clubs – or a place to go if you are feeling alone and in need of company. It can be a place to find a phone, a toilet or to ask the way when lost. Some pubs double up as post offices, libraries and become the centre of their community. Maybe the challenge for the church is to be as open in its reach to the community as the local pub.

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24,25

Counting on … day 404

11th December 2022

The Natural History Museum suggests ‘While not everyone can be at the international negotiations in Montreal, there are a variety of steps that everyone can use to find out more about biodiversity loss and how to combat it.

Changing how we live is the most important way everyone can have an impact. Intensive agriculture is one of the most significant causes of biodiversity loss globally, so eating a less intensively farmed diet, including cutting down on meat and dairy, is one way to protect species in the UK and around the world.

Other ways we can live more sustainably include growing insect-friendly plants, mowing the garden less frequently, and reducing the amount of waste we produce.

You can also get involved more directly to make the world a more biodiverse place, such as getting involved in community science projects or calling for change from decision makers.’

Counting on… day 409

16th December 2022

The Ethical Consumer has provided a list of alternatives to using Amazon this Christmas. I f you want to know more about why Amazon is considered to be so unethical follow this link: https://ethicalconsumer.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a8ca94202812f2c92c29fbe59&id=6f28a9172a&e=40cf608d55

1. Gift experiences instead of items

What makes the person you’re gifting to happy? You could make handmade vouchers for things like:

Their favourite meal
Book a week off work for summer, and say you want to start planning that trip they would love to go on
A full day plan: such as a hike route drawn on a map, packed-lunch menu, and table reservation for mulled wine at the end of the walk

2. Repurpose what you already have

Many of us have possessions we don’t use. Could they become presents?

A book on your shelf that makes you think of them
A piece of clothing they complimented you on
Old photos that could be dug out and turned into a collage
Niche ingredients in your cupboard could be bulked out to make a full meal box, with a handwritten recipe.

3. Shop from independent companies

Use these guides, especially created to help people find ethical alternatives to Amazon.

… last but not least, Ethical Consumer’s Christmas Gift subscription is a perfect antidote to the mindless foray of consumerism that the festive season has become known for.

Counting on … day 408

15th December 2022

The cold weather is a reminder to us of the importance of food, both for ourselves to keep us warm, and for local wildlife.

The RSPB has useful tips –

https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/nature-on-your-doorstep/garden-activities/food-for-your-wild-friends/?utm_source=nature_on_your_doorstep_november&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=3&utm_campaign=nature_on_your_doorstep

Advent 15

December 2022

This is an old sheepfold in Great Langdale up in the Lake District. It is still in use and you can see the gate or door propped open. Most of the year the fold is left open but at certain times it is closed to keep the sheep safely inside. Jesus described himself as the shepherd who leads his sheep out through the open gate by day and keeps them safe by night. As the Good Shepherd, he is the one who will lay down his life for his sheep – physically and metaphorically he becomes the gate that safeguards the fold.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd;

he will gather the lambs in his arms,

and carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead the mother sheep. Isaiah 40: 11

Counting on 407

14th December 2022

Euronews Green has compiled a summary of all the good news environmental stories from 2022 as a counterweight to all the less than positive stories we read.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/14/here-are-all-the-positive-environmental-stories-from-2022-so-far?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=green_newsletter&_ope=eyJndWlkIjoiMTJjMTk2MDNmOWI2YTEwZmZmMTQ0ODYyMWQ3NDJhNDcifQ%3D%3D

Advent 14

December 2022

Traditionally at the age of 21, or latterly 18, one received the key to the (your parents’) front door as a sign of independence. But you probably felt you gained your real independence when you had the key to your own room or home. It might have been at a hall of residence, a room in a flat-share or even your own place. The space beyond the door was yours to shape to your taste, a place where you chose what to do, when to eat, when to sleep – a place where you had control over your own life. That control can be something to value. People who are homeless or in a hostel, in hospital or ill at home, those who are infirm or elderly, may feel the lack of privacy and self determination that comes with independent living.

Whatever space we have to call our own, we can make it a place of love, warmth and welcome.

By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:17

Green Tau issue 59

13th December 2022

This Green Tau is a brief personal comment on the prison system in the UK followed by a statement from a climate activist who is currently in prison.

I have been a lightweight climate activist having only been arrested once as part of a protest trying to establish a responsible and practical response to the climate crisis. My daughter has been more physically active, with the support of her parents. She has taken part in a number of Just Stop Oil protests this year, blockading roads, oil refineries and petrol stations, and most recently climbing on to one of the M25 gantries. It is for this last action that she has been placed in prison on remand. Currently (mid December) she has been at Bronzefield Prison for four weeks.

For us as parents this is heart breaking as once in prison people are not treated as humans who have rights. In part this is the nature of the UK prison system and in part it is due to the underfunding of the system. Prisoners have little control over their lives and no recall when things that should happen do not. Heidi’s cell mate’s name was omitted from the meal list for 6 days during which time no meals were prepared for her. Heidi shared hers plus the kitchen staff gave them any left overs.

If there are staff shortages, they may spend 23 hours in their cell.

Books can be sent in but only from approved suppliers and there is usually a delay of a week between parcels arriving and being handed over.

To access any activity such as using the library, the education department or the gym, permission must first be requested via a computer terminal, then approved and even then it is dependent on staff being available to collect and take the prisoner to and from their cell.

Visits are more frequent for remand prisoners but still work out at an average of one a week.

Heidi, hopefully, will only be in prison for a short while – maybe three months; we are not sure. But for prisoners there on long sentences the experience must be soul destroying and can not in anyway be expected to improve people’s ability to live good and fulfilled lives.

Personal Statement – AVS Russenberger

I am currently being held on remand at HMP Bronzefield, charged with ‘Recklessly and Intentionally Causing a Public Nuisance’. This is slightly ironic, as the government’s reckless intention to license over 100 new oil and gas sites will lead to more than just a ‘public nuisance’; it will contribute to irreversible, catastrophic climate breakdown and the loss of millions of lives and livelihoods.

We saw the beginnings of climate breakdown this year. Temperatures reached over 50ºC in Pakistan and India; 33 million people were affected by floods in Pakistan; climate induced famine in East Africa kills one person every 36 seconds. In the UK, temperatures reached 40ºC resulting in 6,000 excess deaths; the London Fire Brigade had their busiest day since the Second World War; half of the wheat crops were lost and a projected one quarter of the potato harvest.

This will only get much, much worse. Small island states, low lying countries, and equatorial regions will become uninhabitable. Devastating floods, wildfires, and drought will become commonplace. Resources will become scarce, leading to conflict, and a rise in violence and abuse of women, girls, and the LGBT community. Global crop failures will result in famine and soaring food prices. We are struggling with the cost of living crisis now, but it is only going to get far, far worse. But the government is more concerned by a ‘public nuisance’ than this global disaster.

I’ve signed petitions and letters, held placards, voted in every election I can, but the government has continued to pursue an immoral policy of issuing new fossil fuel licences. More oil and gas will not reduce fossil fuel emissions or address the cost of living, it will only make it worse and threaten the lives and futures of people in the UK and abroad. The media has been negligent and failed to inform the public of the scale and projected impact of the climate crisis, and has failed to hold the government to account. I felt that the only option left for me was to continue to protest and refuse to be ignored, because human lives are precious, and worth more than a temporary public nuisance.

Counting on … 406

13th December 2022

‘France has been given the green light to ban short haul domestic flights. The European Commission has approved the move which will abolish flights between cities that are linked by a train journey of less than 2.5 hours. The decision was announced on Friday. The changes are part of the country’s 2021 Climate Law and were first proposed by France’s Citizens’ Convention on Climate – a citizens’ assembly tasked with finding ways to reduce the country’s carbon emissions’. https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/02/is-france-banning-private-jets-everything-we-know-from-a-week-of-green-transport-proposals?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=green_newsletter&_ope=eyJndWlkIjoiMTJjMTk2MDNmOWI2YTEwZmZmMTQ0ODYyMWQ3NDJhNDcifQ==

Does this sound like an excellent idea!