It's mid-winter in NZ, with long, dark nights & lousy weather. In other places, they are dealing with record-breaking heatwaves. Here's some guidance, inspiration and distraction to help get through.
Yours is such an important message Sarb, thank you. The question is how we can encourage the inwards looking folk to start taking some action before it is too late. Many, especially in the mid plus age groups seem to have given up, maybe through fear from misinformation and media representation. They certainly think that it is up to those ˋout there´ to take action. These folk don’t seem to even want to look at options. Young people seem to be much more able to see the urgency to take action but need strong support to make themselves heard.
I was thinking about what I said and dug out this link I was reading the other day: "It’s a good thing that young activists are now viewed less as angelic saviours, and more as political actors in their own right." https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/29/children-arent-the-future-where-have-all-the-young-climate-activists-gone It is incumbent on older generations not to take a fatalistic approach to climate change. I have hope that we will not be permitted to. My reading is that older generations see more clearly the damage and the legacy they are leaving for their grandkids and great grandkids. I do worry about those still locked in their 30s-50s, still raising small kids, and struggling in a cost of living crisis, mortgaged to the hilt and invested in making sure that their property investments vehicles don't fall off the tracks. Unless we can come up with some better ways of managing our economies, switching to land taxes and / or different asset classes being subject to CGT, it's difficult to see how things change.
Cracking edition Sarb. Plenty of juicy links. An oasis amid the shittiest Wellington weather I can remember in ages.
Thanks Bernard - yes, it's been crappy this week - and no end in sight either. We have to create our own internal weather to get us through!
Indeed. It’s why I enjoy reading your substack. Takes me away from the usual noise for a bit of contemplation and thoughtfulness. Thanks.
Yours is such an important message Sarb, thank you. The question is how we can encourage the inwards looking folk to start taking some action before it is too late. Many, especially in the mid plus age groups seem to have given up, maybe through fear from misinformation and media representation. They certainly think that it is up to those ˋout there´ to take action. These folk don’t seem to even want to look at options. Young people seem to be much more able to see the urgency to take action but need strong support to make themselves heard.
I was thinking about what I said and dug out this link I was reading the other day: "It’s a good thing that young activists are now viewed less as angelic saviours, and more as political actors in their own right." https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/29/children-arent-the-future-where-have-all-the-young-climate-activists-gone It is incumbent on older generations not to take a fatalistic approach to climate change. I have hope that we will not be permitted to. My reading is that older generations see more clearly the damage and the legacy they are leaving for their grandkids and great grandkids. I do worry about those still locked in their 30s-50s, still raising small kids, and struggling in a cost of living crisis, mortgaged to the hilt and invested in making sure that their property investments vehicles don't fall off the tracks. Unless we can come up with some better ways of managing our economies, switching to land taxes and / or different asset classes being subject to CGT, it's difficult to see how things change.