Reflections and actions during COP26 and going on
24th May 2023
On Wednesdays when Parliament is sitting, a group gathers on the pavement ent outside for an Earth Vigil. In two shifts, 11-1pm and 1-3pm, we sit or kneel to express our love and grief for the earth and its compromised environment, and to pray for wisdom for those in positions of power, and for all who can share in caring for the earth.
Last Wednesday we were joined by Andy, who afterward as spoke eloquently about the experience –
Counting on …. Day 1.119
23rd May 2023
The campaign group “We Move” believes that politics in Europe needs to put people and planet first, and that it is people who have the power to push for the changes that are needed.
Here is one of there current campaigns –
“Just 1% of people are responsible for half of all toxic emissions from flying….But here’s the thing: we can do something about it. In fact, the solution is simple – cut emissions from luxury flights. This includes a ban of private jets from European airports, a tax on frequent flyers and an end to frequent flyer programmes. And we know it can be done: Climate activists recently scored a win and managed to ban private jets at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Let’s build on that success and cut down luxury emissions from flying.”
https://act.wemove.eu/campaigns/ban-private-jets-and-luxury-emissions
22nd May 2023
Sustainable living means not consuming more than can be replaced or replenished.
Helium is a light gas that once released escapes beyond the limits of earth’s atmosphere – and thus from our viewpoint becomes irreplaceable. Helium forms naturally through the radioactive decomposition and decay of certain elements such as uranium and thorium. The gas has thus formed either escapes directly into – and out of – our atmosphere, or else becomes trapped with in rock pockets. This latter is the gas that is extracted for commercial use – but the supply is limited. The gas cannot be artificially manufactured.
Long term or excessive use of helium is not sustainable. However helium gas is currently a critical part of the operation of MRI scanners. These two factors are good reasons why we should not waste helium to fill party balloons. An additional reason for avoiding party balloons is the damage to the environment caused by the remnants of balloons – even biodegradable ones can block drains, choke or poison birds and animals.
Are there alternatives to helium balloons? In terms of party declarations, bunting (paper or fabric) which can be reused and finally recycled, paper chains, paper balloons, banners – Google these and you’ll find a wealth of ideas.
21st May 2023
We have a bee hotel which used to be fixed to the gable end of the shed. During the winter it was blown down and temporarily placed on a stone bench by the water butt. This is somewhere I also sit, and I have been watching solitary bees buzzing backwards and forwards. They land and inspect the bamboo tubes working out which is their’s. Then they disappear inside. Sometimes they quickly reappear and go in back wards. I’m guessing they are laying eggs. Some of the bamboo ends have been infilled with a clay like mixture which must mean that that incubator is full.
High up on the shed gable I never noticed this activity so that is one small blessing of the winter’s winds.
20th May 2023
Reuters reports “The French government plans to budget half a billion euros annually for a new tax credit for environmentally-friendly investments as part of a bill presented on Tuesday to green the industrial sector, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.
“The tax credit makes France the first EU country to take advantage of a loosening of European state aid rules in recent months in response to new tax subsidies in the United States made available by the Biden administration’s $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).”
Which begs the question, why doesn’t the UK follow suit?
19th May 2023
Today marks the day when in the UK we have used up our year’s quota of the earth’s resources. After today our lifestyle is being lived on credit. Can we increase – through better care – the fruitfulness of the earth? Can we shift our way of life to a more sustainable pattern?
For more information about Earth Overshoot day see https://greentau.org/2023/05/13/green-tau-issue-69/
18th May 2023
The United Nations Environment Programme is called on all countries to reduce their plastic consumption by 80% by 2040. Plastics are problem items because they are made from oil and thus come with an inbuilt unsustainable carbon footprint, and because much of the plastic is not recycled and instead causes pollution – especially in marine areas.
To cut our use of plastics, we will need to cut our dependency on plastic packaging. Our local cafe which also has its own coffee roasting business now supplies beans packaging free. The beans are stored in silos and you simply decant them into your own container (the cafe also sell reusable tins). Simple!
17th May 2023
Yorkshire Rewilding comments “Whether you have a patio, an allotment, a grand estate or oodles of passion, you CAN make a difference. Rewilding works at every scale. The real power lies in joining the dots — connecting the places and people working towards a common goal: a Yorkshire teeming with life at every level.” https://www.yorkshirerewildingnetwork.org.uk/
The same is true for other areas. Here in Richmond parks and various streams and rivers, including the Thames forms a network of green spaces and green corridors which favours biodiversity. Richmond is also an area with plenty of gardens and allotments and they too could be areas for re-wilding and nature positive cultivation. The London Wildlife Trust writes “There are over three million gardens in Greater London – 3,267,174 to be precise. That’s an area of 37,942.09 hectares*. In the face of climate change and habitat fragmentation, this massive expanse of green space has enormous untapped potential for both people and wildlife. However, worrying research by London Wildlife Trust shows that London’s gardens are changing from green to grey.”
They also have plenty of practical suggestions – https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/campaigns/garden-living-london
16th May 2023
As consumers – as spenders of money – we can choose both what we buy and what to save and what to share. This week is Christian Aid week which raises money to support the most vulnerable communities in the world and increasingly we see these vulnerabilities overlapping with the impact of the climate crisis – whether that is farmers in Malawi who have been subject to abnormal and prolonged storms this year, or farmers in Ethiopia where the unpredictable weather patterns make coffee growing problematic.
We can help through donations, by buying Fair trade products, and by campaigning asking governments and multinational investors to cancel debts.
eg – https://debtjustice.org.uk/campaigns/no-more-climate-debt
15th May 2023
As consumers we can make choices that change the pattern of life – through where we choose to shop, what we buy and indeed whether to buy at all.
The RSPB has set up a certification scheme Fair to Nature which seeks to promote farming practices that support biodiversity: –
“GIVING NATURE LOVERS A VOICE
By choosing Fair to Nature Products, you’re supporting farmers and businesses who are taking positive action and making a real impact on improving biodiversity and reducing their carbon footprint.”
The Green Tau 