Lots of arguments in the media at the moment about whether climate change is real or not. With conspiracy theories around, disenchanted journalists, dodgy emails and court cases its hard to know what to believe. Looking at this
latest poll on the BBC this morning it seems that we are becoming more sceptical about whether man made climate change is happening. And more and more people think it isn't!
The trouble is (as I see it) that in an effort to explain our changing world everything has been pinned on to Climate Change Science. Its become almost a religion in some quarters -which doesn't help the distrust. Our sound bite media has distilled the big subject of how we conserve resources, what's happening to our world, and indeed how we live in to one of 'do you believe the climate is changing and we're responsible' and left it at that. It is easy then to dismiss the science if it goes at all wobbly and walk away singing La La La and carry on as normal....
That is one of the main cruxes - we don't like change. If climate science is right then it would mean a fundamental shift in society, culture and day to day living. Our economies in the west are built on growth and increasing use of resources like fossil fuels. We want to cling on to our big cars, super heated homes and our right to chuck out 4 bin bags of rubbish a week. If we can't do those things then who are we?
A couple of years ago on
this blog I highlighted an excellent article called
Don't Save the planet and its worth re-reading as it discusses how the whole Eco-agenda has been badly marketed. It makes some very relevant points. We are still locked in a battle of big scenarios that don't engage the ordinary person in the street. They switch off and refuse to change. I don't have the answers ( I wish..) but my view is that it doesn't actually matter whether you believe climate change is happening or not. We can't go on living like we do.
Some examples
- Whether or not you believe that landfil sites contribute the greenhouse gas methane in to the atmosphere doesn't matter - we can't go on just chucking all this rubbish in to holes in the ground. Holes get full and then councils start looking for new landfil sites - fancy one at the bottom of your road?
- Whether or not you believe that power stations emit CO2 and damage the atmosphere doesn't matter as there is only a finite amount of natural resources like gas to run them. And if you conserve power in your home it saves you money. Why would you not want to do that?
- Whether or not you believe that cars and lorries contribute emissions to global warming doesn't matter - there is much concrete evidence that the pollution from them is bad for our health. And then there is the whole peak oil question....but then some people don't believe that either..
- Whether or not you believe that rubbish is your problem doesn't matter. There is plenty of evidence that we chuck away about a third of our food every year. So in simple terms you buy a bag of salad for £2.99 and you chuck a third of the bag in the bin - so why not just put a pound coin straight out for the dustman? What could you have done with that pound?
- Whether or not you believe any of the climate change science or not doesn't matter - look around your own area and watch how things are changing in your garden. Being an observer of the weather, bird and plant life will tell you all you need to know about how things are changing and how we have to adapt as well.
I found a post I wrote a few years go about our life here in Fiddlesticks Towers -
What are we aiming for and apart from a few minor detail changes it still holds very true for us. The huge amount of enjoyment and satisfaction we get from our way of living is something that needs to be sold more!
Some examples ( cos I've got the hang of the bullet points button)
- Making your own is great fun - sitting sewing is hugely engrossing and calming. Its a real 'being in the present' occupation.
- Growing your own - from sowing the seed to nurturing the plant and harvesting is exciting. Oh but it tastes better and fresher! You can sit down to a meal that you've created yourself.
- Own livestock - I know space is limited for most folk and we're stopping at chickens and bees (because we never set out to have a small holding) but the thrill of collecting that first egg or the taste of your first crop of honey! Simple things perhaps but very very rewarding
- Cooking your own - apart from tasting better; most importantly you know what's in it! Simple good ingredients
- All of the above activities are cheaper than just buying of course - I'm not a skinflint but saving money on boring things leaves money for nicer things; oh and that old fashioned habit called saving.
- Being out and doing these things involves exercise (which is proven to lift mood as well as health) and brain skills as we work out what to do. We sleep better if we've been active during the day - there is a genuine physical tiredness. All positive things for our own bodies and minds.
- Practical details we have to relearn - because our grandparents knew how to be 'green' only it wasn't called that then, but it was more just the way they lived ( did they ever put out endless bin bags of rubbish each week? Of course not). Our relatives weren't wasteful; how did we become like this?
- And moving on from this it's wonderful to recreate things that were known years ago; it would be a shame if it all completely died out and we lost these skills and crafts wouldn't it?
It has to be a better way of living. There is no need for a 'belief' in the science at all; it just makes sense. It's about engaging with skills and nature and living a real and ( my favourite word) authentic life. Based on real food and real materials - not plastic and packaging and a false happiness created by buying more and more. Its cheaper and freer. Our country's media often tries to reflect the mood of a society that doesn't trust big business and big government, well if you have even a hint of self sufficiency about you in terms of some of your own food or energy then you've regained some of that personal control. That's empowering isn't it?
It's a happier and more fulfilled life of honest hard work creating a strong healthy body and mind, with a deep contentment and sense of achievement. Oh and sustainable local environment and community - not the whole planet note, that would be big-headed, but your own pretty corner of it.
If the science was proved to be wrong tomorrow and we're not responsible for what's happening around us and we're not heading for climatic disaster, I'd see no reason to change how we live here for a moment.
Stumble It!
