Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and more: looking at one week of news from around the planet. I have now for 18 days followed the environmental and other news of the first 18 weeks of this year. When you scroll through so many news items, you start to wonder if we have all gone mad. We collectively destroy billions of years of evolution that have resulted in so many unique forms of life, all connected in delicate ecosystems. And wherever you look in the news of this year, by date, region, or theme, you learn more depressing facts about our destruction of such beauty.
Your cheery face, Alex, gives me hope, with your postings of Earth-caring. Thank you for acknowledging it's backing world-protective politicians that we must do.
It’s mindboggling to see the melting Antarctic ice, destruction of Amazon, loss of animals due to foolish men…and to hear people who don’t realize how crucial the climate crisis is, who don’t want to hear. We can each make a difference simply how we live our lives.
yes, we can each make a difference, and we should. But the real change requires governments that create the conditions to make the change. For instance stop subsidizing fossil fuels at a rate of 20 times more than subsidizing renewables (worldwide, data from IRENA), governments often work against change since they have an interest in the status quo. The system and the interests that got them in their position are often not the same forces that will keep them there when structural changes are needed. It makes those in positions of power in government, business, and elsewhere often inert.
Learning about the amount of Biodiversity loss amazes me every time you mention it. Today I talked about it with a millennial friend in a coffee shop, and said to me, that he had no clue about the percentage of forest(all types) that have been lost up till today. I also asked him about the amount of wildlife that is left, again no clue. Poor Arthur dumb prince!
I wonder if you (perhaps) can run a poll on Substack?
Thank you Alexander this is a great newsletter read before turning in this Sunday eve.
Thank you, Marian, yes we are a destructive species, just browsing through those articles reminded me how bad we behave towards the planet, and therefore towards ourselves and out kids.
Contemplating each of these brief reviews of destructive behaviors around the globe is indeed profoundly disturbing. It’s very depressing to recall how countries have callously ignored protective measures to curb the damage we’ve so rapidly inflicted on the beautiful planet.
Electing mindful leaders who prioritize the environment and nature has never been more important. My country is making progress but we are so far behind and the struggle against a party that tries to inhibit environmental changes is infuriating.
This article again emphasizes how much could have been accomplished at COP26 and again how disappointing it ended. Public pressure and activism for the environment seem the best hope we have along with individual awareness and personal efforts.This is a hard hitting article but a necessary one. Thank you.
There is so much of this kind of news every day. Now that I look at the world's news through this weekly lens I realize (again) how much destruction is going on all over the planet. But there is positive news too; if I find the time I might make a week where I focus on solutions, sustainability and innovation.
Sobering newsletter ... we really are masters at destroying this beautiful planet. There were local elections in some places yesterday and more Green Party member have been elected. As everything in Switzerland these changes are kind of slow, but we're moving in the right direction.
I remember most of the stories you mentioned. One definitely stuck - the Liechtenstein prince one. That certainly made headline news here as well. Oh and yes, we have all gone mad! Completely mad!
I learned so much from that cicadas newsletter in May. I don't think I really knew what cicadas were. I mean not really. Thank you for all your writing!
Your cheery face, Alex, gives me hope, with your postings of Earth-caring. Thank you for acknowledging it's backing world-protective politicians that we must do.
Thank you, Dorothy :-)
It’s mindboggling to see the melting Antarctic ice, destruction of Amazon, loss of animals due to foolish men…and to hear people who don’t realize how crucial the climate crisis is, who don’t want to hear. We can each make a difference simply how we live our lives.
yes, we can each make a difference, and we should. But the real change requires governments that create the conditions to make the change. For instance stop subsidizing fossil fuels at a rate of 20 times more than subsidizing renewables (worldwide, data from IRENA), governments often work against change since they have an interest in the status quo. The system and the interests that got them in their position are often not the same forces that will keep them there when structural changes are needed. It makes those in positions of power in government, business, and elsewhere often inert.
Learning about the amount of Biodiversity loss amazes me every time you mention it. Today I talked about it with a millennial friend in a coffee shop, and said to me, that he had no clue about the percentage of forest(all types) that have been lost up till today. I also asked him about the amount of wildlife that is left, again no clue. Poor Arthur dumb prince!
I wonder if you (perhaps) can run a poll on Substack?
Thank you Alexander this is a great newsletter read before turning in this Sunday eve.
Thank you, Marian, yes we are a destructive species, just browsing through those articles reminded me how bad we behave towards the planet, and therefore towards ourselves and out kids.
Contemplating each of these brief reviews of destructive behaviors around the globe is indeed profoundly disturbing. It’s very depressing to recall how countries have callously ignored protective measures to curb the damage we’ve so rapidly inflicted on the beautiful planet.
Electing mindful leaders who prioritize the environment and nature has never been more important. My country is making progress but we are so far behind and the struggle against a party that tries to inhibit environmental changes is infuriating.
This article again emphasizes how much could have been accomplished at COP26 and again how disappointing it ended. Public pressure and activism for the environment seem the best hope we have along with individual awareness and personal efforts.This is a hard hitting article but a necessary one. Thank you.
There is so much of this kind of news every day. Now that I look at the world's news through this weekly lens I realize (again) how much destruction is going on all over the planet. But there is positive news too; if I find the time I might make a week where I focus on solutions, sustainability and innovation.
Excellent idea! I’m sure we all need more positive news.
Loving the tulips.
Sobering newsletter ... we really are masters at destroying this beautiful planet. There were local elections in some places yesterday and more Green Party member have been elected. As everything in Switzerland these changes are kind of slow, but we're moving in the right direction.
I remember most of the stories you mentioned. One definitely stuck - the Liechtenstein prince one. That certainly made headline news here as well. Oh and yes, we have all gone mad! Completely mad!
I learned so much from that cicadas newsletter in May. I don't think I really knew what cicadas were. I mean not really. Thank you for all your writing!
Thanks, Evelyne, it is fun to write, at least most articles, always happy when it is appreciated.