This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Saturday, 18 September 2021
Wobble on Wombles?
The litter-collecting Wombles were the creation of the late Elizabeth Beresford. The fictional furry ensemble have been 'recruited' for the UK government's OneStepGreener campaign, which is directed at young folk (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/18/will-wombling-free-get-us-to-net-zero-wombles-spark-debate-on-communicating-climate-crisis-aoe). The whole thrust of the Wombles is a focus on personal actions/ responsibilities. These include things like picking up litter and eating sensibly. These changes would be welcome and necessary. It can be argued, however, that the focus on individual actions is an attempt to get government off the hook. Combating climate change relies, to a much greater extent, on government actions (rather than just making easy pledges). Policies on electricity generation, house building, home heating/insulation, local transport, international travel, agriculture, dietary advice etc will have much bigger effects on the release of 'greenhouse gases'. The UK government have actually made it harder for people to campaign against/criticise their actions/failure to change. Children will eventually have to recognise that change is not just down to them.
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Birder's Bonus 241
Noted a Curlew ( Numenius arquata ) on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.
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Greater spearwort ( Ranunculus lingua ) has been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, skin conditions and digestive problems.
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Green buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tartaricum ) is also called 'Tartar buckwheat'. It's a domesticated food plant, producing kernels. ...
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Daily shots of my fully compostable Oyster mushroom pot, received for Christmas. Omelettes ahoy!
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