What is writing really like?
This is some interesting research and a very powerful article. I am shocked to think that such censorship takes place these days. I would like to think that representation of diversity of culture is readily available to all who want to read.
When you hear about certain books being restricted or banned from schools, libraries and bookstores; it conjures up an image of writing that’s dark, …
Banned Books & The Freedom To Read
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?
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well… apart from the fact that the weather is more autumnal. There isn’t a hint of snow. We basically don’t get those cold winters that we used to when I was growing up.
Global warming is having a massive effect on everything. Currently Australia is suffering from extensive forest fires and the hottest days on record, well above 40 degrees C. England is suffering from extensive flooding which is being repeated more than ever. I cannot recall many days when the road between my city and the neighbouring town has been open lately, due to a continually flooded road.
I try not to be too negative about the whole thing but it really is time we all woke up to global warming as the impact is massive. I read articles everyday about the increasing speed at which ice caps are melting in Greenland and down in the Antarctic continent. At the same time I see coastal villages sinking into the sea. Not because of land movements but due to the fact that sea levels are visibly going up.
Christmas is a time of reflection. Remember we can make a difference by following the lead of Greta Thurnberg and making choices about the way that we travel and use energy.
Maybe next year we can go on holidays without using planes. Perhaps we can walk or cycle to work more often. I guess one of the easiest things that we can do is look at packaging and not buy anything flown into the country by air.
I try to be positive and believe we can make a massive difference if we act now.
Happy Christmas! Please think about a small change you can make to help the environment next year.
