On Climate Change and Wisdom
Hello, Friends
I hoped a few weeks ago to write regular blogs while I’m here in Western Australia, but I haven’t! Apologies. Life is just too full to fit in everything. Full of research for my next book, of preparing and giving talks, of connecting with old and new colleagues and friends, and of spending time with family. There’s so much I want to do in the next couple of months here, and time is evaporating …
The Challenge of Climate Change
Life has been full of challenge and change in the last month, but I’m slowly coming down to earth, and almost ready to start blogging again. My last entry was when Christine and I were packing up our house a few days before leaving home for 6 months. Since then we’ve spent 10 days in Thailand, and almost 3 weeks settling into life in Perth, Western Australia. We’ve been giving and preparing workshops and lectures, and catching up with friends and family, as well as fending off the ‘flu and trying to get enough sleep. Today I’ll give few impressions of our journey so far.
Transition Towns
Here's a practical example of "Shift in Action." The Transition Towns Initiative is inspiring many communities in the UK. The idea is relatively new, and hence concrete results are still scarce, but more and more communities are signing up. The information here is summarised from the website, and a downloadable 48p. “Transition Initiatives Primer.” If you feel inspired after reading this, how about starting a project where you live? One is just getting going in my home town of Forres.
Tipping points, asteroids and mass extinctions
Today, I want to connect a few dots that bring a new perspective to my reflections on the future of humanity in my last entry. We hear a lot these days about ‘tipping points’ from climate scientists and activists. The idea is that as the planet warms, so processes are being set in motion that cause further warming, thus creating a vicious cycle, or positive feedback loop. Several such processes have been identified already. These include the release of the powerful greenhouse gas, methane, by thawing of the Siberian permafrost or melting of methane hydrates on the ocean floor, accelerating collapse of the polar ice caps, weakening of ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream, and desiccation of the Amazon rainforests. And there is growing evidence that such feedbacks have been associated with dramatic shifts in global climate in the distant past.
Reflections on the beach and the future of humanity
We’re very blessed, living as we do on the edge of woods with a choice of walks. Spoilt, I’d almost say when I get bored with the same paths, the same old friends, the trees; when I long for more distant, less familiar places.
