Ko-fi

Sunday 28 July 2019

"Attack of the Killer AIR!!"

"Quick we have to save the environment so we as a species can survive!"


FFS I feel such an idiot when I type that - like it's some sort of ridiculous scenario in some sort of ludicrous plot of a really bad ‘B’movie.

*The FACT is though - that the air is full of pollutants that lead to suffering and death
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/04/report-links-childs-asthma-death-to-illegal-levels-of-air-pollution)
*The FACT is though - that fracking sites (and other fossil fuel extraction) do pollute vital water sources
(https://www.nlfan.ca/resources/Fracklit16.pdf)
*The FACT is though - that soil quality and ground water are harmed through use of pesticides and industrialised farming
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984095/)

...The FACT is SIMPLY - that OUR CHILDREN will not make it to a natural death through aging - but will likely die due to the above FACTS in one way or another UNLESS there's some bloody massive change.

So what now then? What can you/we/I do? Sure, individually we need to show our determination to fight this through our purchases/choices as best we can but sadly our options are limited by what's available; and what's 'available' is controlled by industries/companies that have ‘profit’ as their measure of success.

Currently, few can afford or have access to the stuff of life to sustain a non-damaging lifestyle. And even then… individual purchases of bamboo toothbrushes, less plastic etc can only do so much and is probably about as much help as poking the rampaging monsters of this 'B' movie, with a pin… when only a stake through the heart, with a big hammer will do.

Instead of reading every label so we can eliminate plastics – let’s STOP MAKING THEM. Sure it’ll be complex and doesn’t even look ‘do-able’ but FFS (again) – what’s the option? Keep manufacturing and accept that marine life will die, toxins will leech etc?

Instead of measuring the cost of sourcing energy from renewable sources - against the cost of fossil fuels – let’s take away the pointless calculator with it’s unbreathable, undrinkable, non-consumable numbers and BAIL OURSELVES OUT like we did those banks that claimed THEY were ‘too big to fail’ - our SURVIVAL is TOO BIG TO FAIL.

We need a united approach that puts the POWER to make change - in the hands of the wise - not 'the government' - not some indefinable 'the people' - certainly not 'the market'... but some ‘Body/Initiative/Plan’ that has a sole purpose of SAVING LIFE ON THIS PLANET. I know... the plot of this ‘B’ movie is downright corny, yet tragically - it's our reality and undeniably so.

I've not mentioned the ridiculous number of other threats or even 'climate change' ...because for some, this causes issues. So ok... let’s not waste time quibbling over the finer details and additional issues - the FACTS above AND ALONE are enough already, to kill our chances of survival or any hope of healthy, happy lives... so whatever you believe - we can at least all agree that we KNOW the air grows more foul, the water more contaminated and the soil less (naturally) fertile and that the spaces for beneficial nature... are being lost; AND not enough is being done to stop this.

I've not mentioned either, so many other concerns I read about online: from radio-frequency radiation to the purpose behind all this polluting/poisoning etc ..to how we feel about our personal identities... hosts of things that cause fear and along with it, division. In the end, surely it's clear that without AIR, WATER, SOIL - we're f*cked anyway, so ALL other issues won't matter

How this ends is up to something more powerful than you or me… (Spoiler alert: corny ending involving standing united)

“It was at last after years of wasted time in turmoil, struggle and anguish – that the actual work of re-wilding, re-forestation, re-newable energy and re-vised systems removed the toxins and poisons that had polluted all the living things of nature... from rivers to people, oceans to mountain tops. Every breath was again healing, the waters sparkling with clarity ...life and the lands abundant, with nature flourishing. Without petty division, without falsehoods and without 'an economy' as the driving force, the future we needed was found."

...


*I see the challenge of getting rid of the misunderstandings that lead to division that stops us from being effective together... like a dance: we take one step we can ALL agree on, together. If we take another and it's not together, we go back to where we were... work some more on that until the next step and the next are easier as we find our sameness of direction and understanding x

Saturday 13 July 2019

DAILY DRAGON SLAYING, DANCING & WITNESSING



Call out from residents in Lancashire:

PLEASE come be with us:
"Cuadrilla the frackers have a new plan and it's to frack again - so not really new except for a a lot of relaxing by the regulators of previous conditions; that will make it every bit as damaging to the environment; intrusive, toxic and even, a bit more dangerous to nearby residents."

This community has been present and opposing fracking DAILY since 5th Jan 2017 (over 900 days!!) and is urgently seeking support. We would not incite anything but would ask instead that you come - be with us, witness what happens (the police are less 'hands-on' when enough are witnessing) and individually make clear your insistence on a safe future.

We need all the help we can get. Could you come alone? With friends and family? For an hour? For a day? For a unique holiday

We're roadside at the gates to the fracking site 24 hours of every day: from 7:30am till 6:30pm the frackers run works vehicles in and out and the police prohibit meaningful protest of any duration beyond a few minutes - making exercising Articles 10 & 11 impossible. But we try to do our best to raise awareness, let drivers of works vehicles know how the community feels and act in ways that have actual impact.

Our PNR (Gates) Community Protection Camp monitors all that happens at the site - not only during working hours but ALL hours; Gates Camp has shifts that need filling too if you can spare a few hours to sit with great people, enjoy decent coffee and a genuine purpose.

There are days in the week where guest speakers or events are held and these are pretty regular:
MONDAYS: 'Green Mondays' with speakers from environmental groups come.
WEDNESDAYS: when a 'Call for Calm' is held by the Nanas & Wednesday Women
FRIDAYS: 'Band Practice' - or more honestly, 'bring an instrument, make any noise'
FRIDAYS: (last one of every month) 'No Faith in Fracking' - a gathering of faiths in silence

Where do you fit in? Some come with a chair, a flask and reading material and sit opposite the site, others stand with banners, some stand, some dance, some knit and some engage with drivers and really... anything you feel is YOUR activism against fracking.

We can't promise comfortable days because they can be awful but there are safe places to be and incredible people in solidarity... and the kettle's always on.


*If you're in a group like Extinction Rebellion, Reclaim The Power, Rising Up, Campaign against Climate Change, Global Women's Strike, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace UK, Anonymous, Occupy London, Occupy Democracy, Climate Siren, Frack Off London, Frack Free United, Fracking Hell (UK) or ANY Frack Free, environmental or campaign group... please pass this invitation (plea?) from the community of weary but unstoppable Protectors at Preston New Road (between Blackpool & Preston on the A583)

#XRtoPNR
#RtPtoPNR
#YS4CtoPNR
#FoEtoPNR
etc

*NOTE: Dates on EVENT are EVERY Mon-Sat until it's done (but Facebook limits duration)
EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/866749137019224/


FURTHER DETAILS ON PLANNING & NEXT STAGES: https://drillordrop.com/2019/07/11/cuadrilla-to-frack-second-well-at-preston-new-road/

Tuesday 2 July 2019

#FrontLineVoices - Tina Rothery - Verdicts, Injustice & Silence...











Following a landmark court case and a week of wondering about where
justice lies, an interview including details of upcoming 'Women'sCall
for Calm100' event: #100CallsforCalm



Back to the Philosophical Basis

  Thank you to Ecosocialist Alliance for publishing my piece in time for last week's Green Party of England & Wales, Spring confere...