A lot of people say Extinction Rebellion are going about things in the wrong way? F*** O**. What they really mean is write to your MP, or sign a petition and watch nothing happen!
Flying
Slow down! The shut down halted most flights – not all as the rich continued with their private planes (of which about 50% of flights have no passengers!!). As planes are a major source of pollution this has to be a good thing. But people need holidays, and the cultural benefits of foreign travel are invaluable. A conundrum. Maybe shorter journeys abroad by train, and flights that are powered by electric planes (yes the technology is getting there), will be the way to go.
REWILDING
Tens of millions of gardens across the UK have a large area devoted to mono culture. i.e. grass. Much of this is never sat on or played upon. Just cutting the grass once every 10-14 days. Benefit to wildlife = zero.
So I have rewilded my front lawn (and the back one too!). It started up with raised beds for herbs (mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, Jerusalem artichoke, fennel, anise hyssop), but has now spread to the whole former lawn. I have planted some bush roses and salvias, marigolds, poppy, chicory, and many other wildflowers (some donated by Di Redfern – thank you). I have put in 100 bulbs, and have 200 more coming. Some plants do well others do not – it will sort itself out with a little help from me.
Hopefully the increase in insects of all kinds will be beneficial to the environment.
I am much heartened to see a couple of other people leaving the flowers in their lawns alone.
It is not neat and tidy – nature does not ‘DO’ straight lines.