The headlines have been dominated by the terrible bush fires in Australia and my heart goes out to those killed, injured and missing those who have lost homes and property, the wildlife and the brave emergency services who in many areas are fighting a losing battle…There has been a little respite in some areas as rain has fallen…
But there are also lots of stories of people coming together which is heartwarming, there are tales where celebrities, people, countries and corporations because they can have donated large amounts of money and help…All of which are heartwarming…
There are also the people like me who cannot donate as much but those donations however small help to swell the coffers and those are also gratefully received…
Today I am going to look at the bigger picture…There have been a few instances where I have had pause for thought…Oh dear, I hear some of you say…
I have seen the news of all the demonstrations around the world where people are voicing their fears…I have stepped back from that as admirable as it is to see people starting to recognise that something is going on and maybe they should take heed…and or action…
Sally’s words also spring to mind when she said to me we are preaching to the converted…
Now for the kicker…
Most of us including ME are quite frankly not doing enough and haven’t got a clue as to the sheer scale of the problem…
Why do I say that?
I say that because there is a bigger picture…
I admire the people who are starting to take notice not sure some of the actions are what should be happening as it may cause knee jerk reactions from politicians…I think it should be drilled down further…
We are not the generation who had a TV in every room…we still only have one TV…In our house… growing up, there was one phone…We walked to school…
These striking children…Have they looked at how many TV’s are in their homes …How many mobile phones…Do they walk or use public transport to school or college, do they buy cheap disposable clothing made by kids in sweatshops and which cannot be recycled or do their parents pay exorbitant prices for the latest trainers and clothing again made in sweatshops and in the main can’t be recycled. The Apple products which are made in sweatshops…
We all need to get our own house in order before we start ranting and demonstrating…
Look at the bigger picture because there is always a bigger picture…
The bush fires in Australia, the 2007 floods in 22 African countries, hurricane Katrina 2005, hurricane Barry, hurricane Dorian..The fires in California this year…I could name far more…
What is interesting and sad is that in the aftermath...Funding is spent mainly on what is thought important NO let me rephrase that it is spent on buildings which generate more money i.e Casinos…
People and communities who live in coastal areas or shorelines are privy to the reality, Seeing what is really happening… those who live inland are in the main ignorant of that…They see headlines and news flashes… how many really take note? I am just as guilty as the next one…
It is the rich countries who are the polluters it is us who are causing most of the climate change and it is the people at the front end who are paying the price…Who have recognised what is happening and that no one is going to help them… so they are planting trees and adapting to the changes in the seasons and the land to provide food for their families… some are even having to move whole communities or towns to higher ground or further inland. Do they get enough funding …I think you all know the answer to that…A small community of say 350 people who cares…Truly ..Who does care?
We should...because they are the ones who see the true picture who have seen the landscape and the seasons change …They are the people most affected but we are the people who don’t see what is coming…
Take Florida for example…Those beautiful, expensive seafront properties, the wildlife, tourism in droves…and yet the American government doesn’t think Climate change is an issue?
But also think of the people who are behind those beautiful properties when hurricanes hit…I bet their homes and livelihoods are not the first thought of by those holding the purse strings…When money is handed out for rebuilding…
If you get a chance and want a break from the fiction…I recommend you read Climate Justice by Mary Robinson…It is a great read… it opened my eyes and made me think and wish I was younger and had known all this…Why didn’t I? Lots of reasons…None of which I can really justify if I am truthful…Just didn’t think is not really a reason is it?
In the faces of the bushfire victims, we saw ourselves and our shared future. We can no longer shy away from reality…
We cannot ignore this … one report by British charity Christian Aid suggests the changing climate amplified the effects of no less than 15 major disasters in 2019, while in July last year the UN warned climate change is now causing an average of one disaster a week.
I just needed to say this and next week I have lots of good news…Thank you, Tori, for the link you sent me it will be next week now as I just had to put things into perspective this week…we can no longer hide in our cosy worlds because it may not affect us too much but what about our children and grandchildren…xx
Thank you if you are still here and reading to the end…xx
About Carol Taylor: Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.
I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.
Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.
Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!
Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx
