Climate Change

Transformative Change: How do we get there?

The pandemic lockdown is offering groups of like-minded individuals the opportunities to come together to talk sensibly and sensitively about our global futures. Here in Derbyshire the Climate Coalition group recently initiated a zoom conversation on why and how to create a “movement of movements” on climate change. It was a robust and creative sessionContinue reading “Transformative Change: How do we get there?”

The Intelligence Trap: Why do clever people make stupid mistakes?

I have argued that our universities are not yet addressing, at scale and urgency, some of the systemic existential issues of our time. We are currently facing the Covid-19 pandemic and our collective understanding of this crisis is woefully inadequate. And this underpins some of the ill-judged policy decisions made in response to its impact.Continue reading “The Intelligence Trap: Why do clever people make stupid mistakes?”

Our House is on fire

I have written in an earlier blog about Greta and my links with Sweden and its education system. I have also been honoured to work with Karl Henrik Robert the founder of the Natural Step a framework for sustainability (https://thenaturalstep.org/approach/ ). And, following the 2002 Earth Summit, I worked as a facilitator of an amazingContinue reading “Our House is on fire”

What Do We Mean by a Crisis?

Massive social lock down has closely followed the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Like many I’m struggling with how this is being communicated and, more importantly, how the required actions are being implemented. More than ever we need clarity and understanding from everyone. Yet we continue to see pictures of breaches to the governmentContinue reading “What Do We Mean by a Crisis?”

Matlock Floods investigated by East Midlands BBC News

On 6th March the East Midlands news team descended on Knowleston Gardens, site of the Bentley Brook pumping station. Contrary to local understanding the film crew took evidence from the Environment Agency who confirmed that the November 2019 floods were caused by surface water rather than flooding from the river. The volume of the waterContinue reading “Matlock Floods investigated by East Midlands BBC News”

Higher Education for Sustainability: Seeking Intellectual Independence

Late last year I received the manuscript of a book from a reputable publisher asking for my views on its strengths and weaknesses. I have done several book reviews in recent years, but I must admit this one was both a pleasure and surprise. I had heard of Kerry Shephard from a previous review ofContinue reading “Higher Education for Sustainability: Seeking Intellectual Independence”

DEMOCRACY AND SUSTAINABILITY

CRABBY INCREMENTALISM OR TRANSFORMATION? We face a democratic tipping point in responding to the climate emergency as the choices of business as usual(no change) or incremental change can no longer command majority support. Global tipping points now demand urgent action at scale and urgency. Our systems of governance need to respond in parallel to thisContinue reading “DEMOCRACY AND SUSTAINABILITY”

What is a Climate Emergency?

Many of our governing bodies at both national and local levels are declaring a climate emergency. But what does this mean? Do we carry on as before or are we meant to do something differently? We usually think of an emergency as some event that has happened that requires an urgent need for action toContinue reading “What is a Climate Emergency?”

2020 – TEN YEARS TO SAVE THE PLANET!

This is the front-page headline carried by the Daily Mirror on New Year’s Day. Will this be the year transformative change happens? Or will we face another decade of business as usual? One relatively simple test of our current trends in decarbonising our lifestyles is to ask ourselves this question: How many cars can theContinue reading “2020 – TEN YEARS TO SAVE THE PLANET!”

Climate Change and the proposed housing development on The Wolds Matlock

Can we Safeguard the Future of the Town ? Richard Arkwright and John Smedley(and son) were celebrated Victorian entrepreneurs. Their visionary use of the streams and rivers which are so abundant in the Derwent Valley, led to the development of innovative hydro-engineering systems, which powered the industrial revolution and factory-based cotton textile production in theContinue reading “Climate Change and the proposed housing development on The Wolds Matlock”