I worry everyday that while Covid continues to be causing problems, climate change is being sidelined, almost as if it doesn’t matter. We probably have to live with Covid for ten years but the environment can’t wait that long to be saved. We need to act now!
Already the Glasgow Summit, which was only a month ago, has been forgotten about in the news and in the general media. It is a shame that at a time when we have come to demonstrate clearly how vulnerable our ecosystems are, we are getting distracted by other things.
Climate Change matters because:
– Every day pollution is growing and the atmosphere is being damaged. This will have a knock-on effect with weather systems and storms. Only last week America suffered stronger tornados, Antarctica had its hottest day on record and typhoons have destroyed homes in the Phillipines.
– Political changes could lead to funding for renewable energy and sustainable transport. Without government initiatives and support, many necessary changes to industry and transportation will be overlooked.
– The Glasgow leaders’ meeting really brought climate change to the forefront. If we can keep it in the spotlight then we can influence change more swiftly.
– Extinctions of species wait for no body. Covid or no covid, many groups of animals and plants are dying out as we speak. We have the power to slow or reverse this process of extinction.
These are my thoughts on the issues of global warming and temperature rise. I do wonder how you feel about the situation. Do you feel that climate change needs to have more awareness given to it or do you think it should sit on the back burner until Covid has died down?
Here is an extract from my published book, ‘The Fathers, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost.’ I hope that you enjoy it and consider checking out the kindle version of it.
How could I keep everything as normal as possible? How could I hold my head up high? Nothing made any sense to me anymore. I was overwhelmed, bewildered and out of painkillers. My head pounded slowly as it had for the past ten hours. A night spent at my mum’s house was needed but I really ought to go back there, to the home I had shared with Michelle. My heart was sat throbbing gently in the soles of my shoes. My ears quietly rang. My nose ran tirelessly. I felt as though reality had subsided and everything was a mix between chaos and sublime fantasy. My children needed me. No doubt about that. But what could I say? What should I do? Who could I turn to? Why didn’t I see any of this coming? I was not one to cry but tears fell out of my eyes like rain from an overloaded storm cloud suddenly offloading. Like daggers, they seemed to cut across my cheeks and dig into my jaw, carving faint yet permanent etchings across my face and staining me forever like ageing creams dissolving the past and dripping poignantly onto the floor as if flooding and muddying the future and any chance of escape.
I had put a few clothes in a bag last night and got out of there as the police had urged me to. They wanted to examine the house and take finger prints and find out exactly what she did. I had accidentally taken her jumper with me. As I picked it out of the bag I thought about the last time I had seen her in it. Just the other evening. She had been cooking salmon and I recalled her taking it off because she said it stank of fish. I sniffed it now and it was clean and fragrant. It reminded me of spring and the strolls we took through the hills. My heart sank back down into those soles and I gathered myself together. My kids were stood either side of me as they saw me caress her jumper. They leant into my shoulders and we stood in silence, looking out of the window, reflecting quietly.
I gathered up their stuff and we got in the car quickly. My mum asked if I would be alright on the road driving in this state. I tried to make her believe that I was capable and I started to drive off, without looking over my shoulder. I needed to face up to this. As I drove quite slowly through the mainly car-less roads, the usual warmth associated with going home did not reassemble and I was left feeling confused, uncomfortable and out of place. I noticed a glazed look in Alfie’s eyes and the sparkle of partly evaporated tears chalked into his face. I could not determine the way Tess felt exactly as she looked quite serious yet I sometimes thought I could see the beginnings of a smile, especially as we passed some of our favourite haunts, like the park, the duck pond and the place where she went to dancing lessons. I prayed to a god that I had never really believed in that she might get through this in one piece and have nothing but fond memories of her wonderful mother. Little did I know this day was going to resonate with her more strongly than anyone else. Alfie was the one with mixed emotions, so I largely anticipated him suffering greatly.
We turned into our street eventually and I could still see the police cordon wrapped around our garden. There seemed to be no sign of anyone though and I had been assured we could return home today. So we got out of the car slowly and were soon approached by our elderly neighbour who hugged us all in turn and gave me some stew in a little plastic pot. ‘It must be so awful for you,’ said Margaret as she squeezed Alfie tightly.
As Christmas approaches quickly and some people are lucky enough to get some well-deserved time off from work, I thought I would share some ideas of what to do with this free time. My own holiday to France has just been cancelled due to the French government closing the door to British travellers, so now I am determined to enjoy my holiday time in a different way.
Here are my ten suggestions for using the Christmas holidays effectively and enjoying some down time, alone or with others.
1) Workout regularly
Even if it is just a 15 minute workout twice a week, make sure you don’t become too sedentary over the holidays, especially if you are eating more than usual (as I definitely shall be). A fast walk or a Youtube cardio session can be enough to give you a boost and keep your heart healthy.
2) Read a book or short stories
It is no shock that I recommend more reading at Christmas time. My other posts suggest lots of books and stories worth checking out such as these. I have changed my book choices so that I am just reading festive books until the New Year and I am absolutely loving it. In January I will return to my other novels.
3) Do some craft work
My friend has become obsessed with making cards and is actually very good at it. It is interesting to see a new hobby become a part of someone’s life. For me, writing has become my main passtime but I am also challenging myself in other ways, such as with exploring baking.
4) Have a deeper clean
We frequently hear people asking about spring cleaning but for me, the Christmas break provides a good opportunity to give the bathroom a good spray and wipe as well as dust in the places you normally don’t get round to.
5) Do something musical
A few years ago I bought myself a cheap electric keyboard and had a few lessons with a local piano teacher. His father became ill and he flew back to Australia but I wasn’t confident enough to teach myself. I have recently started spending some time reminding myself of those skills so that I can pick up lessons again where I left off in January. Learning an instrument is great for dexterity and can be incredibly therapeutic.
6) Watch ‘West Side Story’
I just cannot stop gushing about this. I was lucky enough to see this Spielberg masterpiece last weekend and am returning to watch it again in a few days. The soundtrack is constantly playing in my car and I genuinely think this is one of the best movie musicals I have seen in years.
7) Go for a walk with a friend
A walk in the country is always fulfilling.
In the holidays, rather than just meeting up with friends for dinner, I prefer to go for a walk with people who I wish to catch up with. Sometimes this is followed up with a coffee and snack but the walking is my priority, mixing exercise with socialising. I love this kind of catch-up.
8) Listen to a Podcast
I am hooked on Davina McCall’s ‘Making the Cut’ podcast as well as Jane Horrocks’ ‘Queen Bees’ one. Over the next two weeks I will be having more baths, which are my excuse to listen to these podcast episodes in a relaxed way.
9) Have a massage
In the past, I have had some wonderful getaways to health spas and when that is not possible I pop to a local spa for massages during my vacations. Nothing beats a hot stone massage and prices can be very reasonable if you look around.
10) Cook something new
This is a fun one. I bought some baking trays and bits and bobs two years ago and had a few failed attempts at baking sponges but I am determined to step back into the kitchen this Christmas. Why not have a go at trying a new recipe or baking a simple cake this Christmas?
These were just a few suggestions for how to use your holidays well. I hope that you enjoyed this post and may consider following my blog for similar future articles. Have a lovely Christmas and keep reading and supporting the blogging community.
