Tag: UK

What should we really worry about?

So, we have a lot of problems going on right now and it can be messy thinking about them. How do we start to untangle everything that is happening globally? Who knows how to unpick the subjects that need tackling and how can we all play a part?

This set of blog posts is designed to begin a discussion about priorities, engagement and solutions. Seemingly so awkward a topic, we have to do more than just rant on twitter or post repeated pictures on our instagram feeds. The first thing we all need to do is look at the urgency surrounding current news issues and find ways to unravel the issues that cannot wait to be handled.

Covid-19 and its whiplash

We have all been turned upside down one way or another by this virus which has riddled its way through many countries and shown no sign of distinguishing between the privileged and the poor. It has come for us all equally and yet the people in power have not always taken it seriously enough, especially in Brazil and the US.

There is no quick fix for this but we cannot simply wish it would go away. We have to adapt the best practices from around the world in order to keep the virus down as much as possible. Sometimes that means changing our plans, cancelling our holidays or perhaps not having that party we were desperately looking forward to. Lives come first and so yes, we have to adapt in order to protect others, even if we ourselves may not be so vulnerable. And let’s face it, there is no definite when it comes to Covid. I have known perfectly healthy people come down badly with it and be hospitalised or worse still.

But there are other issues

Other problems are constantly being remembered and need dealing with: Brexit, inequalities in the work place, racial disadvantage, climate change, economic slumps, mental health problems…

The list is not limited to these things but we do have to stop and think about which of these is most pressing in terms of humanity. For me, the climate emergency is unavoidable. It affects each and every one of us and is rapidly destroying the habitats of animals and plants on a daily basis. Sometimes irreversibly.

Yet it is climate change that has taken a back door. Here, whilst a pandemic has restricted our travel and made people aware of the fact that they can often work from home and do not need to fly around the world for meetings, we have seen very little media attention upon the climate problem that is gradually engulfing us.

I would say, there are many vital issues that need addressing but only one is time critical. What do you think?

Cities can be beautiful but let’s protect them. Reduce the smog and reduce the use of cars and planes.

Happy Holidays

In the mountains snow is falling,

In the villages, bells are calling,

In the country, reindeer run,

In the houses, so much fun.

In the evening carrots and milk,

Presents wrapped and lined with silk,

In the morning, radiant faces,

People locked in warm embraces,

Merry Christmas everyone,

May your day be lined with fun,

Have a drink and eat mince pies,

May Christmas be bursting with surprise.

Merry Jollity

Jingle bells, roast chestnuts,

Warm your hands on the fire,

Unwrap presents, Eat huge meals,

All of these things will transpire.

Be together, share a hug,

Forget work and hassle and news,

Watch the Queen speak, drink mulled wine,

Argue with family who have different views.

Play silly games, act out fave films,

Eat Christmas pudding and cover it with booze,

Sing karaoke and dance round the room,

Then lie on the sofa and have a long snooze.

Perhaps for five minutes, reflect and consider,

Those who are not lucky enough to enjoy Christmas day,

Whether religious or just conscious of society,

For a little while think about them who can’t play.

Consider the burning of forests and heatwaves,

Dwell on the cutting of millions of trees,

Imagine the pollution of smelting and jet planes,

Make a choice to save the planet, acknowledge climate change, please.