AVOIDING PLANETARY SUICIDE, Step Three.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS (THINK COOL).

Jul 12, 2023

“Before we can Heal Our World, we need to decide what we really want it to become.” Everyman.

In Step One (14th June), I suggested that you write a list to help you focus your thinking - it’s a habit that works well. Today it’s time to write another, based on what really matters to you personally, to your family, your friends, neighbours. When it seems complete - add a few brief thoughts to each item. Then number them according to priority. Maybe consult with your Parents, Lover, Children, Bestie, Neighbour. Two heads are better than one.

Here’s mine, Yours may be different………. 1. Clean Pure Water. “Without it you are nothing.” Anon. 2. Fresh Air. “License to Breathe” Mike Stone lyric. 3. Wholesome Food. “You all know what you eat you are” Beatles lyric. 4. Free Healthcare. As a Right not a Privilege. 5. Decent Housing. The Enclosures Act = Legalized Evictions/Scandalous Rents. 6. Honest Education. Knowledge is not a commodity. 7. Equality. In what sense ? 8. True Democracy. Does it exist ? 9. Overconsumption. Actual needs vs Marketing spun temptation.

SOooo…. Focusing on what we, as individuals, together, consider what is most important to change - perhaps completely !!

Q. But How ??

A. Make it personal……. Pick something that you are passionate about, something that will ensure that your kids, grandkids have a happy future; Something that is already affecting you all; maybe past experiences that made you aware……..

“To change what is perceived as dangerous, we must first change our perceptions of what needs to be done. Open and stretch your minds. Take control” P.H. Ashcroft.

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Let me tell you why I pick WATER as my Personal #1 issue (Other than the fact that most of what we drink is dangerously contaminated) :-

1953, aged 7… I witnessed the Violent North Sea Flooding of the East Yorkshire Coast. Cars and people swept from the Promenade where I lived. Terrifying, traumatic, yet even worse for the Netherlands, 400 miles away; with the lethal breaching of their sea defences.

1965, aged 19… As if fighting in an oil war in the South Yemen Desert wasn’t already tough enough, a freak Indian monsoon shift dropped two years rainfall on us in four hours. Sand that had been baked to a Rock Hard surface flooded, and transformed within minutes, into deep and treacherous mud.

2007. Extreme rain caused UK rivers to burst their banks. South Yorkshire towns were severely affected. Then the waters rushed down to the city of Kingston upon Hull. Miraculously our home and my workshops stayed one inch above the devastating flood - but both of our cars were ruined, as were many homes and small businesses. AND LIVES WERE LOST.

Shortly after this I was invited to join a government flood advisory board, where I quickly became appalled at the incompetence “behind the scenes” of the Environmental and Water authorities. Despite all their promised improvements, Britain, like so many other nations, now suffers rivers and beaches inundated with Human Excreta. Another Damn Flood, in fact a Deluge of Poison !!!

My current home in Nederland is one foot below sea level and just a short walk to the coast -

OUCH, PERSONAL !! Yes indeed - the above forms my bedrock, my springboard and motivation for airing my passions and concerns……

Do you also have such a story to tell on your personal experiences of climate change ?

So, here’s what’s yet to come :-

On the 26th July. Step Four: THE CHALLENGES AND THE OPPOSITION. Steps Five and Six, both in August, are the Good News. But, but, but, sadly climate pain is gonna get worse before any turnaround :- ie., it was widely reported that the 4th July was the hottest day on record, globally. Then the 5th and 6th were hotter still. Vox posted the terrifying thought :- “This could be one of the coolest summers of the rest of your life” OUCH !! Which brings us back, again, to the awful choices…

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DROWN FRY ACT ?? WHICH IS IT TO BE ??

“The key to making the world a better place is to constantly question” Jonathan Kellerman.