https://www.positive.news/environment/what-would-happen-if-unloved-public-spaces-became-community-farms/
Lesley A @Lesley4
Frant
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Haven’t had time to read this yet but thought it might be of interest. https://www.positive.news/economics/can-ethical-investing-help-save-the-planet/
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Just a reminder that the next book is Plainsong by Kent Haruf. There is also Plainsong 2 (Eventide) - that’s not the one we’re reading! Discussion starts 16th June.
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I was encouraged by a conversation I had this week with someone who had been chatting to a friend of theirs whose job is advising companies on sustainability issues. He is massively overworked because the demand is exceptional at the moment. Moreover these companies are looking for real improvements and not interested in greenwashing. That sounds promising to me. He thinks there’s a lot of negativity out there about business and that makes folks just feel things are hopeless so they give up.
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I found this interesting. https://www.positive.news/environment/the-best-ways-to-get-cars-out-of-cities/
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https://www.positive.news/society/positive-news-stories-from-week-17-of-2022/
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Cutting it fine! I’ve just finished reading this at 5.20 am. I think it’s a very satisfying novel, true to life, with entirely believable characters. She manages to portray the affair with total accuracy and sensitivity, the highs and lows, the waiting around - the wondering - and the inevitable spluttering end. Although it’s set in the 1930’s, and in a social milieu completely at odds with today, somehow it remains relevant and timeless. I think that marks it out as a classic. I think she’s a wonderful writer but I didn’t enjoy or understand everything. I don’t think I was ever clear about Simon, and Olivia’s relationship with him - was this ever made clear? And at times I got lost in who everyone was, lots of people drifting in and out of the story but remaining superficial characters. This didn’t bother me, I think they weren’t central to ‘the affair’ but I did get lost at times, especially in the part where she was describing Amanda Cunningham and her party. All in all, a rich work and I’m glad I’ve read it. I wonder if others agree?!
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I seem to remember supporting this campaign a very long time ago. https://www.curlewaction.org/gcse-in-natural-history-confirmed/
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https://www.letstalkrubbish.london/?
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https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/new-plant-derived-sustainable-plastic-is-tough-as-bone-mit/
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https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/earth-day-zero-waste-challenge-recycling-carbon-neutral-climate-b995585.html
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All this means little to me but might to others. Download, don’t stream, is the message. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/earth-day-climate-change-streaming-downloading-ajr-1339228/
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A book to check out. Gets good reviews. https://skepticalscience.com/the-new-climate-war-our-reviews.html
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Sounds good. I think we need more initiatives like this which hopefully (that word again!) will force manufacturers and retailers to think about the sustainability of their products or else pay for the damage they cause. Hope UK follows suit. https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/03/31/fast-fashion-will-be-held-accountable-for-clothing-quality-toxic-chemicals-and-waste-says-?
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We’ve been buying Who Gives a Crap. Our first box of 48 bamboo rolls (best quality) lasted us a year + and we were pleased with it but I was rather concerned about it being shipped long distances. So the next box of 48 we bought from them was not bamboo but UK recycled office type paper. Verdict was less favourable, and it is running out at about 11 months. So now I’ve gone for a box of 24 bamboo rolls from Naked Sprout, still being shipped, I know, but these are unbleached, which seems safer for us and the environment (perhaps). They use much less packaging than WGAC. But as I feared they’re an unpleasant dirty beige colour. I have to say it does put me off. Stupid of me I know.
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When people post on SL about their concern re covid there’s at least four people who regularly belittle their fears. They argue that: it’s nothing more than a cold- they’re all ill with something else - people should just get on with their lives - there’s no point in testing, - the figures are all deliberately inflated to scare us. In effect they are suggesting that those of us who have concerns are either stupid, or sheep. But the latest figures quoted widely should concern us all. The prevalence is higher than ever, hospital admissions are sky rocketing and the deaths are creeping ever upwards. https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o882
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No more time left. Climate change report. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60984663
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Has anyone seen Promising Young Woman, written and directed by Emerald Fennell? She got a Oscar, I believe. We saw it last night at our local community cinema, which is lovely, slick when it comes to the films, with a discussion afterwards, but very cosy with homemade cake, magnums for £1, and small bottles of wine for £3, though I had decaf tea. What’s not to like? Anyway back to the film. Well worth seeing. It’s described as a black comedy but I don’t think it’s very comedic. It’s about revenge taken slowly against misogyny and male violence. It was preceded by several shorts on the theme of female empowerment.
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It’s the last Saturday in March so it must be Earth Hour. It’s a growing ‘movement’. https://www.earthhour.org/our-mission
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I remember a previous thread a while back about composts and the poor availability of peat free compost. Well I visited the local garden centre yesterday and was delighted to see numerous options. There, at least, the tide seems to have turned.
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Am sorry I keep confusing people by dithering about the next book but this is definitely it! Discussion kicks off on 30th April
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My next suggestion is Rosamond Lehmann’s The Weather in the Streets. This is supposed to be a classic romance. It’s from 1936 but seems to appeal to modern day readers. I think I have read her before but my memory defeats me. Shall we give it a go? Plenty of inexpensive copies out there.
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Some nice designs here. https://www.positive.news/science/innovation/eco-homeware-smart-homeware-designs/
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This might be useful for some of you. https://londonrecycles.co.uk/repair-week/?
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I think I’ll choose the next book if that’s okay with folks. I’m thinking of Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. It’s a follow up to Olive Kitteridge which was very popular. I can’t remember whether we read that in this group or whether it was in my other book group. Has anyone already read Olive Again? And can we have ideas for the book after next please?
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I came to The Maidens having just read The Inheritors by William Golding. Rest assured I will not be subjecting this book group to that particular torture. It’s about the first meeting of Neanderthals with Homo Sapiens and is a hard, hard slog…picture many pages of description of logs. So basically I was desperate for something light and easy. The Maidens completely met my need. I picked it up with enthusiasm each evening, curious about the next twist or turn, never getting down hearted by the death of yet another young woman. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But I also, sadly, think it was a dreadful book! I’ll not say more for now - over to you!
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I met a scientist at a wedding whose job was measuring and analysing London’s air quality. He was, sadly, full of gloom and doom. This report seems to bear out what he was saying. Edit: should have said things are improving - don’t want to be too gloomy! https://airqualitynews.com/2022/03/03/londons-toxic-air-led-to-over-1700-asthma-hospitalisations-in-two-years/?
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We will be discussing The Maidens from next Saturday (12/3) so hope some of you have read it. There is still time if not!
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A brave move by the Mayor? https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ulez-ultra-low-emission-zone-expand-greater-london-sadiq-khan-b986027.html?
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Plastic pollution: Green light for 'historic' treaty https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60590515
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I’ve travelled a lot in the Netherlands, never with a car, and it’s super easy to get around. It’s perhaps my favourite country. I remember the free transport in Luxembourg as well. Edit: I don’t entirely understand their lists in the article??? https://www.positive.news/society/the-greenest-countries-in-europe-to-travel-around/
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Some people feel that to criticise your own country is wrong, unpatriotic, and somehow lacking in gratitude for all the good things we enjoy. They also frequently suggest that somehow it’s a failing of ‘the left’. I take a different view. I believe it is better to be truthful about the bad things, own up to them, pay any dues and, in that way, we can be truly free to enjoy our country and be proud of it. This article describes an element of our very recent history that I can’t feel proud of. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-60349040?
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This is from Wickedleeks, Riverford’s magazine. It has some helpful links in it. https://wickedleeks.riverford.co.uk/features/cities-eating-drinking-community-climate-change/ultimate-guide-sustainable-food-city?
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I keep seeing articles (and comments on SL) suggesting that in the light of the current energy price hike the UK should have a rethink about fracking. I thought this article was good on the pros and cons. https://eciu.net/analysis/briefings/uk-energy-policies-and-prices/fracking-in-the-uk
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The puppet master : on Netflix. Has anyone watched this? It’s a documentary following the exploits of a con man. An extraordinary and very sad story. The British Justice system doesn’t come out of it too well either.
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https://flipboard.com/@food/how-to-reduce-food-waste-3si1rsojp17rp1f3?
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I found this interesting- not something I’ve ever given much thought to. https://www.archdaily.com/976015/strategies-to-reduce-embodied-carbon-in-the-built-environment?
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And the award goes to… https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jan/25/riba-best-building-award-friendship-hospital-bangladesh-kashef-chowdhury-david-chipperfield-wilkinson-eyre?
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People seem keen to carry on with the group so here’s the next book. This was suggested by Viv some months ago but was rather expensive. Prices have come down now and there are several copies in Amazon Marketplace, if you don’t mind second hand. Discussion will start on Saturday 12 March. Would be lovely if some members who don’t normally join in would give it a go - we’d love to hear from you.
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So few people are contributing these days I’m wondering whether this group needs closing, revamping, or anything else that would put some sparkle into it? Thoughts and suggestions please?
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Oh dear, where to start? It’s always good to read an unfamiliar author but Belinda Bauer hasn’t inspired me to seek out more of her work. I didn’t hate this book, it jogged along quite nicely because it’s a bit quirky, undemanding, and potentially humorous. It’s an easy read and sometimes that’s enough. But I’m afraid that on this occasion I found it distinctly lacking. The whole story was utterly far-fetched, the characters had potential but were undeveloped. I just couldn’t take it seriously and the humour didn’t reach me either. But always good to try a new author! Bauer is extremely popular and has won literary prizes so maybe I’m just hard to please. Over to you…
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An article from Positive News on greenest trends in 2022 https://www.positive.news/society/living-life-to-the-greenest-sustainability-trends-that-will-dominate-in-2022/?
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This could be useful if there’s a branch near you. https://www.dunelm.com/info/about/take-back-scheme?
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Wishing you all well over this festive period and here’s hoping we can look forward to a better and greener 2022. 🌿🦔🐇🌴🎄🎅🍄🌹🌼🌏🍇🌊💦🥦♻️
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Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and may 2022 bring lots of great reads.
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I realise this doesn’t directly affect many people in this group but I know the campaign against this incinerator has relevance to some, so this letter may be of interest. Its from solicitors acting on behalf of the coalition of groups opposed to the incinerator and speaks for itself. https://www.encaf.org/_files/ugd/192828_fea6c536b303483c99e2ca91809c7b24.pdf?
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I thought this was an interesting if depressing take on current politics and democracy. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/29/sleaze-uk-politics-democracy-government?
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