Category: Counting On …

Reflections and actions during COP26 and going on

Counting on … day 262

31st July 2022

Talking about the climate crisis doesn’t have to be always upbeat and optimistic. There are times when that is not how we feel. Times when we feel anxious, overwhelmed and out of our depth. There may be times when we feel that no one else understands how we feel, that we are alone carrying these worries. Don’t bottle these feelings up but share them with someone you trust, someone who you know will be sympathetic. You might find a locally run climate cafés – https://climatecafes.org/ – or may be form an informal local group. You might talk with your spiritual director (where I live we have https://spidir.org.uk/). You might want to write down your thoughts. You might try or find out more about, the Deep Waters course run by Green Christian – https://greenchristian.org.uk/deep-waters-a-project-of-borrowed-time/

Counting on ….day 261

30th July 2022

Yesterday I added an extra Count Down entry marking 100 days until COP27, and in these next 99 days I will be repeating some of the actions I noted last year. We are relying on governments and big businesses to effect the system change need to address climate change, but such organisations are ultimately responsive to social trends. In the hustings for the new Conservative party leader, we are seeing the two candidates trying to match what they have to offer with what they sense their voters (Conservative party members) want. If we want governments and businesses to take positive action vis a vis the climate crisis, then that needs to be the desire of society at large. As much as we petition and push governments and businesses to change, we must enthuse society in the same direction. Last year’s “action 2” was talking about the climate crisis with friends – raise awareness and interest, make the topic interesting and pertinent, make the need for action desirable. 

 Counting on …day 260

29th July 2022

Our local council is aiming to end the sale of single use disposable barbecues – at least in the short term. They pose a serious fire risk in the current very dry weather. In addition they cannot readily be recycled make them an unsustainable product.

Perhaps this is a summer for chilled soups like gazpacho, pea and mint or Ajo blanco – a Spanish almond soup. Or maybe a savoury sorbet.

There is a petition asking Government to ban the sale of disposable barbecues – https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-ban-disposable-bbq-s

Counting on …day 258 

27th July 2022

It is only a week since we endured a two day extreme heatwave but is it already passing out mind, out of sight? Let’s continue to talk about climate change and how it is already affecting us. Let’s plan now for how we will help each other cope better during the next heatwave. This may come this summer, or maybe next, but it will certainly come.

 Counting on …day 257

26th July 2022

The Guardian reports that plans are ahead to make it illegal for shops to run the air conditioning whilst there doors are open, and already a by law exists in Paris resulting in  €150 fines. Can we ask our local authorities to take action too?

French retailers have agreed to switch off illuminated signs when their premises close for the day.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/25/france-air-conditioned-shops-doors-shut-energy-saving?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Counting on … day 256 

25th July 2022

Ten plus years ago there was a report on the Guardian complaining of shops that keep their doors open in the winter whilst leaving the heating full on (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/nov/29/shop-doors-shut-save-energy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) Now we to be asking the same question of shop keepers/ store managers when they leave doors open with the air conditioning running full blast. Note which stores in your high street do this and email their head office. 

 Counting on …day 255

24th July 2022

The more people use refillable water bottles, the less demand there will be for bottled water. The hot weather has reminded us of the importance of staying hydrated – can it also instil in us the habit of carrying a refillable bottle. Lots of cafes have taps or jugs of water for refills, many railway stations have water refill points, and there are a growing number of public water fountains around the country. 

Refill has an app to help you find places to refill water bottles, cafes that give discounts for reusable cups, and places that will refill your lunch box (but not for free!) – https://www.refill.org.uk/

 Counting on ….day 253

22nd July 2022

Whilst we may not be directly able to aid wild birds affected by avian flu -and which is devastating seabird colonies – we can help protect our garden birds from disease by ensuring we regularly clean birdbath and feeders. 

https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/rspb-news-stories/keep-your-garden-birds-healthy/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=6&utm_campaign=

 Counting on … day 252

21st July 2022

For those of us with outdoor spaces and gardens, there is much we can do to help support biodiversity. Like us, wildlife too needs help to cope with the extremes of weather – see the link below. 

I have also noticed many shops and houses putting out bowls of water for passing dogs.

https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-help-wildlife-in-heatwaves-186964?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Imagine%20042&utm_content=Imagine%20042+CID_1ed4054deff27141e13704c6d3c2e41a&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=aiding%20wildlife