Blog
Joy in Music and Nature
A radio programme called Soul Music may sound like an unlikely starting point for writing about the natural world, but inspiration sometimes strikes in unexpected ways. A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to an episode of this Radio 4 programme, which was broadcast a good number of years ago.
Thoughts after COP26
I have been having various thoughts since the end of COP26. To be honest, most of these are not directly connected with what was happening at this climate conference. I say that because much of what took place in terms of negotiations and announcements reflected arenas to which I don’t have direct access.
Anthem
For some years, I’ve wondered if the ecological movement would benefit from some sort of “anthem”. Part of the potential value of this would be something that used music to unite, inspire and galvanise people. That sense has only increased during protests such as the school strike movement. COP26 has inspired me to re-visit this and I’ve written the following.
Whither the Wind?
Some of the focus within COP26 has been about the use of fossil fuels. I can remember attending a conference in the mid-1990s where one of the speakers, Hermann Scheer, said something that I have never completely forgotten, but of which I have been reminded recently. (It is also only latterly that I have been made aware how influential Dr.
Post-Olympic Thoughts
For some weeks I have been wanting to write about a very specific idea.
Economics, Ecology & Essentials
It is some months since I have posted a blog. There are a number of reasons for this but one is that I have wanted to get to grips with the Review by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta. (I can’t claim to have read the five hundred plus pages from cover to cover even so).
Finding Ways Forward
Nearly three months ago a report was issued that I have been wanting to write about ever since. I have been limited in my time and ability to work on blogs over this period and so it has had to wait longer than I would like.
Return of the Generalist
I’ve not managed to write many pieces over the last few months, but that hasn’t stopped me thinking about various things I want to say! I have started working on pieces on three publications of the last few months. These are the report on the Economics of Biodiversity by Partha Dasgupta, Values by Mark Carney and Bill Gates’ How to Survive a Climate Disaster.
The Shortest Day
Over the last few months I have blogged on a number of occasions about ideas from Iain McGilchrist’s The Master and His Emissary. One of the main thoughts in this book is the benefit of having a clearer sense of the differing roles of the left and right hemispheres of the brain and seeing how they can work together and yet provide something different from each other.
Touched by Nature
Sometimes it seems as if everything aligns, as a series of ideas seem to cascade along a chain reaction, finishing somewhere that could not be foreseen at the beginning.