Firstly this is not necessarily climate change, but probably is. The Mayor of London has, correctly, called a climate emergency for the next few days. But our government – do we have one? has not said anything!
PANIC
I live in a rural village in North Somerset. My garden is full of insect friendly flowers. Weather sunny. Few insects. What the fuc* is going on?
CLIMATE ALERT
Portugal declares state of emergency as temperatures soar. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/04/spain-and-portugal-suffering-driest-climate-for-1200-years-research-shows
GARDEN – 8 July 2022
First tomato starting to blush – hopefully by Monday the stream should start. Raspberries and Loganberries are also making a break for freedom. Temperatures are above 20C for next week at least so that should help the harvest.
Front garden is a happy chaos. Cornflowers, chicory flowers, marigold, vetch, Californian poppy, evening primrose, night scented stock, nasturtium, fennel, sage flowers, different types of lavender in flower, but few bees, butterflies, etc. All growing alongside the 30 pots of thymes and mints, oregano and verbena and golden verbena. All growing in chaos – no colour co-ordination, many self seeded and growing as nature intended (apart from the pots to keep mints under control.
PLANES
So BJ Johnson uses a plane for a short holiday in Cornwall which the public pays for both economically and environmentally. Climate crisis and the planet are of no concern to his ego – with the hot air he spouts he should have gone by balloon.
CHUFFED
A neighbour decided to leave most of their lawn uncut and was happy with the grasses rippling in the wind, and the yellow vetch. They are now extremely happy to have orchids, and yes I am a tiny bit jealous!
AN ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY PROJECT
FARMING
Firstly it should be protected from the import of inferior produce with duties and protective legislation. (Taking back control!). Secondly there needs to be a distinction between family farms and those run for investment purposes and pure profit. Third it may need support to change to restorative techniques. Fourth the land owned by farmers should be excluded from property development.
FOOD
The cost of living crisis is NOT essentially caused by food costs going up, but by the high cost of housing (mortgages and rents). For too long the landlords and property owners in Parliament have allowed these costs to soar.
REWILDING
We need publicity to make wild gardens cool. I have not got a large garden – the front is about 60m2. There are about 90 of these along my street. Some have been paved over for cars at least in part, one has artificial grass, 3 or 4 have sorted plants, one or two are leaving areas to wild, but I am the only one with a concerted lack of plan! 20+ types of mint, 7 thyme, a huge sage bush, 4 rosemary varieties, lemon verbena, Californian poppy tansy, sunflowers, vetch, forget-me-not, and other stuff all encouraging wildlife. If more people joined in we could have our own urban nature reserve. The urban climate would be moderated, rainfall run off (and floods) reduced. And the beauty of herbs and flowers that benefit our senses would be enhanced .