I loved hearing about your creative process, thank you for sharing. I just signed up for a writing course next year called “Writing with your World”
This part of the course description really spoke to me “In these days of flatlined apocalypse, of unfeeling consumption, of enforced complicity with an unchosen culture, what words want to rise from the molten depths? What truths have you waited too long already to voice? What outrages, passions, and loves for this tender wild planet and your own particular bioregion are aching for your written fidelity? “
I wondered if you would ever consider running a workshop or course on writing and activism? Or your own version of David Whyte’s hiking and poetry retreats? I know that’s a huge undertaking, but just curious to know.
When I'm feeling distressed about things, I like to make a little joke to lighten the mood. This one came to mind reading this week's newsletter. Humour - I suppose if the sperm count goes down, that will help the overpopulation problem, which will help reduce demand on the earth's scarce resources. Will it happen in time?
I joke.
This is terrible and tragic and makes me feel like things are even more out of control than I first thought. However, it is good news about the rate of change in some parts of the world.
Does anyone know if it's true that rubbish is still intentionally dumped into the ocean by waste disposal companies? Even with all the efforts of some to clean it up, and with all the awareness there is around how damaging this practice is for ocean health and our survival?
When traveling in Nepal about 15 years ago, I was pretty stunned to see the Bagmati River that runs through the capital meters deep in rubbish, mostly plastic. Our local guide said they can't afford waste disposal, so everyone throws their garbage in the river and "wait for the wet season."
I understand this practice is still occurring today and that most of the plastic in the ocean comes from five big rivers. I’m not sure what they are or where?
Presumably, developed nations will need to support developing countries with waste management if we're to get this situation sorted out. I haven't heard anyone talking about how we can help. Does anyone know if anything is being done or if the conversation is occurring anywhere?
all great points. I tend to think (mother) nature does organically create solutions to problems...always. I want to get to the bottom of the rubbish and recycling issue you raise...I hear conflicting reports. I will revert in a future newsletter
They said smaller rivers are a bigger problem than previously thought. I guess this ties into the Ocean bound plastics campaign. The study shows that most ocean plastic from rivers comes from Asia, particularly the Philippines and India.
It appears that the Ocean bound plastics movement is active in the Philippines, but there doesn't seem to be as much happening in India in that space (at least that I could find). I wonder what the rest of us could be doing to help Asia tackle the plastic in the ocean problem? It's a difficult one.
Reducing the worldwide demand for crap made from plastics would help.
I also saw (on LinkedIn) that environmental protection for the ocean receives the least amount of funding. I couldn't verify the stats, but it sounds believable.
Dear Sarah, I feel there is nothing more important and urgent at this time than to address the way the pandemic has been handled by our govt and media through fear, coercion, bullying, separation and segregation of communities, families and friends. The after effects and fallout has been horrendous on families with business closures, teenage and adult suicides, 400% increase of calls to mental health lines, loss of jobs, isolation, loneliness and people don’t feel safe or at home in this world anymore. This is on top of the 80k serious adverse effects from the jab on the TGA DAEN report to young people and people of all ages. This has affected peoples health long term and their ability to earn a living, why isn’t this devastation addressed by the media or health authorities? The targeting and silencing of people including professionals that have genuine concerns and are just asking questions or having other opinions has not been seen to this level in our beautiful country. I feel the suffering and fallout to peoples lives and trust of those making decisions will take many decades to heal. The advice they have followed with prescribing the same treatment for every person young and old when it’s now clear that it has not got things under control is madness. It makes no sense to continue doing the same thing without stopping to reassess and change to a different way of doing things and consider other options and treatments.
This is what is most urgent and heavy on my heart and a lot of people I’ve spoken to. This time in our lives will be written in history books and if we don’t wake up future generations will ask “what happened”?
Great to hear your going out on your own with book publishing Sarah - I’ve heard that some authors are releasing chapters via a paid Substack subscription, so there’s an idea. Also, Tim Denning and Todd Brison do a great course on self publishing on Amazon & Ingramspark. Good luck!
I loved hearing about your creative process, thank you for sharing. I just signed up for a writing course next year called “Writing with your World”
This part of the course description really spoke to me “In these days of flatlined apocalypse, of unfeeling consumption, of enforced complicity with an unchosen culture, what words want to rise from the molten depths? What truths have you waited too long already to voice? What outrages, passions, and loves for this tender wild planet and your own particular bioregion are aching for your written fidelity? “
I wondered if you would ever consider running a workshop or course on writing and activism? Or your own version of David Whyte’s hiking and poetry retreats? I know that’s a huge undertaking, but just curious to know.
Thanks for all you do and all you share
wow that course sounds amazing. Who is it run by? I love: enforced complicity with an unchosen culture
Here is the link, I hadn’t heard of them before but was excited to find this course
https://remembering-earth.com/writingyourworld
looks great...hope it goes well
When I'm feeling distressed about things, I like to make a little joke to lighten the mood. This one came to mind reading this week's newsletter. Humour - I suppose if the sperm count goes down, that will help the overpopulation problem, which will help reduce demand on the earth's scarce resources. Will it happen in time?
I joke.
This is terrible and tragic and makes me feel like things are even more out of control than I first thought. However, it is good news about the rate of change in some parts of the world.
Does anyone know if it's true that rubbish is still intentionally dumped into the ocean by waste disposal companies? Even with all the efforts of some to clean it up, and with all the awareness there is around how damaging this practice is for ocean health and our survival?
When traveling in Nepal about 15 years ago, I was pretty stunned to see the Bagmati River that runs through the capital meters deep in rubbish, mostly plastic. Our local guide said they can't afford waste disposal, so everyone throws their garbage in the river and "wait for the wet season."
I understand this practice is still occurring today and that most of the plastic in the ocean comes from five big rivers. I’m not sure what they are or where?
Presumably, developed nations will need to support developing countries with waste management if we're to get this situation sorted out. I haven't heard anyone talking about how we can help. Does anyone know if anything is being done or if the conversation is occurring anywhere?
all great points. I tend to think (mother) nature does organically create solutions to problems...always. I want to get to the bottom of the rubbish and recycling issue you raise...I hear conflicting reports. I will revert in a future newsletter
Fantastic Sarah! I'm looking forward to reading what you find out.
I found some studies on rivers and what % of plastic in oceans they are responsible for here: https://ourworldindata.org/ocean-plastics
They said smaller rivers are a bigger problem than previously thought. I guess this ties into the Ocean bound plastics campaign. The study shows that most ocean plastic from rivers comes from Asia, particularly the Philippines and India.
It appears that the Ocean bound plastics movement is active in the Philippines, but there doesn't seem to be as much happening in India in that space (at least that I could find). I wonder what the rest of us could be doing to help Asia tackle the plastic in the ocean problem? It's a difficult one.
Reducing the worldwide demand for crap made from plastics would help.
I also saw (on LinkedIn) that environmental protection for the ocean receives the least amount of funding. I couldn't verify the stats, but it sounds believable.
On a positive, these folk seem to be doing something constructive and are spruiking that the Blue Economy (economic activities based in and actively good for the ocean) is the next big thing. https://www.newyorklifeinvestments.com/dual-impact-funds/ocen?u=100&cmpid=10052_osm_hrs_22009_30245
Dear Sarah, I feel there is nothing more important and urgent at this time than to address the way the pandemic has been handled by our govt and media through fear, coercion, bullying, separation and segregation of communities, families and friends. The after effects and fallout has been horrendous on families with business closures, teenage and adult suicides, 400% increase of calls to mental health lines, loss of jobs, isolation, loneliness and people don’t feel safe or at home in this world anymore. This is on top of the 80k serious adverse effects from the jab on the TGA DAEN report to young people and people of all ages. This has affected peoples health long term and their ability to earn a living, why isn’t this devastation addressed by the media or health authorities? The targeting and silencing of people including professionals that have genuine concerns and are just asking questions or having other opinions has not been seen to this level in our beautiful country. I feel the suffering and fallout to peoples lives and trust of those making decisions will take many decades to heal. The advice they have followed with prescribing the same treatment for every person young and old when it’s now clear that it has not got things under control is madness. It makes no sense to continue doing the same thing without stopping to reassess and change to a different way of doing things and consider other options and treatments.
This is what is most urgent and heavy on my heart and a lot of people I’ve spoken to. This time in our lives will be written in history books and if we don’t wake up future generations will ask “what happened”?
I love the doubt component as a catalyst to creativity. As Descartes said “Dubium sapientiae initium. (Doubt is the origin of wisdom.)”
which is funny coming from Descartes... or perhaps fitting. doubt is the best grist for one's mill
Great to hear your going out on your own with book publishing Sarah - I’ve heard that some authors are releasing chapters via a paid Substack subscription, so there’s an idea. Also, Tim Denning and Todd Brison do a great course on self publishing on Amazon & Ingramspark. Good luck!