I really enjoyed this piece. I have long been troubled by the idea that we humans are the vermin that need to be removed. In this narrative there is no pathway for redemption or goodness, there is no way for future generations to come out from the shadow of the actions of previous generations. This seems to be very gloomy and short sighted. We are here too as the human animal, it is our responsibility to learn how to live alongside again as a valuable part of the ecology, not only a destroyer or guardian of. We have to put ourselves in and stop wringing our hands. I really believe this. Part of the reason why I write human-nature books. A tiny corrective that I can offer, not much bit something I hope. xx
A really valuable perspective on the messages we give to children (and adults!) about our role and relationship with other-than-human beings 💚 Yet another reminder I need to read Braiding Sweetgrass!
Ah Sally your group is one of the things that gives me hope. A big thank-you to all of you for persevering for these amazing birds in the face of so much human indifference.
Thank you for this illuminating post Joanna. I’d never heard of the board-game Conservation - what fascinating images of post-Silent Spring guilt! And I’m boosted by your vibrantly positive message too.🙏🏼🌱
I was a Coppicer for many years and reading this reminds me why: I’d found a tangible way to help people and places at the same time. Thanks for writing !
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the game but the egg stealer card is really familiar all the same. I really enjoyed reading this, hadn’t considered just how negative a lot of the messages we got about the environment were. Seeing it acknowledged but balanced with beauty and hope feels so important.
I can remember being 8 and unable to keep up with which cans of pop were the good recycling ones, whether or not adults using Impulse spray would bring about the end of days all while doing ‘24 hour famines’ to raise money for starving children elsewhere…. I don’t know how we got through the 70s and 80s in retrospect!
Thank you, Fiona. Gosh - Impulse! I remember those crazy adverts for it and to think that they were freaking out sensitive children as well as reinforcing the message that women smell bad without extra chemicals is quite something!
I really enjoyed this piece. I have long been troubled by the idea that we humans are the vermin that need to be removed. In this narrative there is no pathway for redemption or goodness, there is no way for future generations to come out from the shadow of the actions of previous generations. This seems to be very gloomy and short sighted. We are here too as the human animal, it is our responsibility to learn how to live alongside again as a valuable part of the ecology, not only a destroyer or guardian of. We have to put ourselves in and stop wringing our hands. I really believe this. Part of the reason why I write human-nature books. A tiny corrective that I can offer, not much bit something I hope. xx
So much this, Ruth. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment.
A really valuable perspective on the messages we give to children (and adults!) about our role and relationship with other-than-human beings 💚 Yet another reminder I need to read Braiding Sweetgrass!
Thank you, Finn x
I’ve shared this with our Swift Whatsapp group today. We often descend into eco pessimism. Thank you!
Ah Sally your group is one of the things that gives me hope. A big thank-you to all of you for persevering for these amazing birds in the face of so much human indifference.
Thank you for this illuminating post Joanna. I’d never heard of the board-game Conservation - what fascinating images of post-Silent Spring guilt! And I’m boosted by your vibrantly positive message too.🙏🏼🌱
Thank you so much, Linda.
I was a Coppicer for many years and reading this reminds me why: I’d found a tangible way to help people and places at the same time. Thanks for writing !
Thank you for reading! How wonderful to have such an incredibly useful skill as coppicing.
🌿🌱🌳🍃
Lovely essay, Joanna, and full of hope 🌈
Thank you, Kate
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the game but the egg stealer card is really familiar all the same. I really enjoyed reading this, hadn’t considered just how negative a lot of the messages we got about the environment were. Seeing it acknowledged but balanced with beauty and hope feels so important.
I can remember being 8 and unable to keep up with which cans of pop were the good recycling ones, whether or not adults using Impulse spray would bring about the end of days all while doing ‘24 hour famines’ to raise money for starving children elsewhere…. I don’t know how we got through the 70s and 80s in retrospect!
Thank you, Fiona. Gosh - Impulse! I remember those crazy adverts for it and to think that they were freaking out sensitive children as well as reinforcing the message that women smell bad without extra chemicals is quite something!
AND we should want to be chased my hoards of men to boot! It's an all round horror show now you think of it!