Tag: environment

Falling in love 25

Water is an amazing substance! At times so still you can see your face in it; at others a tumbling foaming onrush that barely pauses as it sweeps past. In this small section of river there is water that is roaring past and water that is clinging to the banks, some is leaping into the air and some is spiralling round and round.

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

The Green Tau: issue 18

Changing the Face of Business 

B Corps – Benefit Corporations – are the fair trade equivalent for businesses. Whilst remaining profit making concerns these are businesses that also undertake to meet certain in social and environmental standards. Their bottom line is threefold: profit, people and planet. 

To attain B Corp status companies are assessed against five categories:

  • Governance – the way their business is run internally
  • Workers – how they are treated and paid
  • Social sustainability – how they support or contribute to society, including charitable donations
  • Environmental – how they contribute to environmental sustainability 
  • Product – the social and environmental benefit of what they produce

Provided they meet the minimum standard, they are awarded B Corp certification. This is reviewed on a three yearly basis.

The benefit for the business is an enhanced brand image, and improved ability to recruit staff  and investors. The downside is the cost of obtaining certification which might exclude some small but ethical businesses.

There are 2778 B Corps world wide and 193 based in the UK. They include OddBox and Riverford veg boxes, Innocent and Danone drinks etc, Triodos and Coutts banks, Judes icecream, Lilly’s pet food, Volcano coffee roasters, Camden Town brewers, Vibro Barefoot shoes, and various media, marketing, and management companies. A full listing can be found here: https://bcorporation.uk/directory?search=&industry=&country=United%20Kingdom&state=&city=&page=5 

Social enterprises also aim to make a profit, which they then use to create positive social change through providing training and employment opportunities, supporting businesses in marginal areas, helping end homelessness, making donations to support communities in need etc. Increasingly social enterprises are focusing on environmental outcomes too. They tend to be small concerns, including repair workshops, bakeries, cafes, arts venues, grocery stores, gardening units, local energy generation, recycling units etc. Social Enterprise UK lists how you support these enterprises through what you buy: https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/buysocial/where-can-i-buy-social/

The money in our pockets, like (or perhaps better than) our vote in an election, can change the world we live in.

Count Down

 Action 63: Make some quince jelly. You can make this with fruit from a japonica bush. These ‘quinces’ are ready to  pick when they beginning to turn yellow. Cut them in quarters with a string knife. Cover with water and boil until soft. Strain through a muslin cloth or ‘jelly bag’. For every 600ml of liquid, add 450g sugar. Bring to the boil and boil until the setting point is reached – 105C. If you don’t have a sugar thermometer, use a wooden spoon: stir the jelly, then hold the spoon curved side up and count to 20. Tip the spoon and if the liquid coagulates as it drips, it is at setting point. Pour the jelly into sterilised jars. It should be lovely pinky orange colour.

Falling in love 24

Sea view, north Brittany coast

Peeping through the trees and bushes, the view of sand and sea and a further promontory suggests adventure, but maybe also suggest time to play, relax and unwind enjoying the novelty or newness that sand and sea offer to those of us who live inland. 

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

Falling in love 23

Wengwald, Switzerland 

Fresh thick snow blankets the ground and weighs down the branches with heavy white lace. 

It is fascinating how this coating in white transform the view. Uneven surfaces are levelled off, empty spaces filled, sharp edges smoothed. Sounds are muffled yet hearing becomes more acute. What was grey and winter-worn, becomes a magical world – a world of new possibilities.

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation. 

Running Prayer

 

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Left, right, left, right.

Leg forwards and pull back.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Under trees, across the grass, 

along a track, follow the path.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Frees the mind to engage with God.

God in this space sharing my thoughts.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Green, the glory of God,

grandeur of trees, panoply of sky.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

A rosary of prayers for those I love, 

for those on my heart.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Baring my soul, God may your will be done –

this world: its plight, our mistakes.

Breathe.

Running, step by step

Mile after mile.

Strained, worn down, 

stay firm, keep faith.

Breathe.

Stop. Rest.

Amen.

Falling in love 22

Tree ferns in a courtyard at the Royal Academy, London

With a bright sun overhead, the fronds of the tree fern appear as black silhouettes of intricate detail. 

The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore. 

As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over. 

And our love for the world wains and falters. 

The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation.