I’ve enjoyed a few hours watching the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla with my British husband, Steve. I know many couldn’t care less, while others are enraged by it, but my first job was as a Musician in the Australian Army, so the pomp and ceremony appeals to me, not to mention the history, even the weird stuff.
Overall, I’m ambivalent about the whole thing, to be honest, but one of the biggest stories the media will focus on following this event, is the arrest of peaceful anti-monarchy protesters, who were arrested before it even began today. Twitter went crazy with this news as soon as it happened, so expect more on that.
Events like this are always intense. From people across the Commonwealth speaking up about the abuse, plunder and violence done in the King’s name, to conversations in Commonwealth member countries who are re-energized to push for Republics. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t, but we need to always make room for all these conversations – even when it makes us uncomfortable.
The other issue high on many people’s minds is the cost of the Coronation, while so many people across the UK and the world, are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis. One commentator mentioned that the National Lottery in the UK, which funds a lot of the foodbanks across the country, pulled back that funding to pay for the Coronation. As expected, it isn’t going down well.
If you would like to help those struggling to eat, pay their rent or mortgage, pay their energy bills, and more, here is a link to food banks across the UK where you can find out what is needed and donate.
When I listen to a lot of the views, one thought kept coming to the surface. We are at a stage for humanity where we need to question all our institutions, but also the industries we have across the world. When you understand how rapidly the climate emergency is escalating now, it is definitely time to question the right to exist of many of these, especially if we want to stand any chance of securing a live-able future – see the climate section below.
Moving away from the Coronation, I talked about Crocs in Climate Courage yesterday. It was announced this week it will not be able to meet its NetZero targets before 2040, when previously it committed to 2030. My thoughts about Crocs are, does it even have a right to exist in a world awash with plastic waste? Do we really need plastic shoes? There are many other businesses and industries, as well as institutions, that I would put in the same basket.
One part of the story of King Charles III that I value is he is the Climate King. So, if he wants to keep my support, I would love to see him use his position – somehow – to influence world leaders to do what needs to be done to ensure we don’t face an unbearable future for humanity. Obviously, he has no real power, but let’s see if he can make an impact there. I’ll be happy to see him stay in the job if he does.
Onto the reads and just so you know, I’m having a break from the reads next week. I need a break, but I’m also attending an event that is important to me in Singapore, the Asia Professional Speakers Convention 2023. I am so looking forward to reconnecting with this sensational community and to be inspired to do even better work.
See you in a couple of weeks.
Friend’s content and mine
Susannah Jaffer on sustainable fashion, content and community – Chris Edwards and Susannah Jaffer share a really fabulous conversation on how Susannah built her business Zerrin. If you’re an entrepreneur in any field, or in fashion, I highly recommend listening and do subscribe to Chris’s podcast. Both #WomenIAdmire.
My interview with Nagraj Adve: “I have for long held that other species are already worse impacted from climate change than humans are” terrific interview by Praveen Gupta. India is a country that is central in the climate emergency. The whole world needs to focus on helping India succeed. Inspiring interview.
Climate Courage: the lure of doom, the power of hope – huge appreciation to my husband, Steve Johnson, for agreeing to interview me this week for Climate Courage. The time to act is now.
Donation time
If everyone gave #just10percent of their time, talent, money or voice, we’ll change the world. Can you donate? Make it a regular donation to the World Food Programme. Or donate to the UN Refugee Program, Medicine Sans Frontier, PowerOf , Kiva.org , Soi Dog Foundation. It’s a time for giving and taking care of each other.
Content to read
And here’s the content I’ve been reading or watching this last week. Scan the headlines, read the ones that jump out at you, read or watch them all. Knowledge is power, and global knowledge is even more powerful.
Climate crisis
Norfolk’s Forgotten Chalk Stream – watch until the end. This stupidity must end.
Humanity’s tipping point? How the Queen’s death stole a climate warning’s thunder
Many Europeans want climate action – but less so if it changes their lifestyle, shows poll
The Impact of Ocean Temperatures Hitting 40 Year High
Private jet sales likely to reach highest ever level this year, report says
In hot water: here’s why ocean temperatures are the hottest on record
World should prepare for El Nino, new record temperatures: UN
We Can’t Fight Climate Change Without Fighting for Gender Equity
Faster, higher, hotter: What we learned about the climate system in 2022
An Ominous Heating Event Is Unfolding in the Oceans
Fungal attacks threaten global food supply, say experts
The ‘Don’t Look Up’ Thinking That Could Doom Us With AI
Crocs pushes net-zero target back from 2030 to 2040
Big investors call on companies to slash use of plastics
Scientists Horrified As Sea Surface Temperatures Spike Off The Charts
Animals Are Dying in Droves. What Are They Telling Us?
Inside big beef’s climate messaging machine: confuse, defend and downplay tks Rebecca Kynaston
What will El Niño mean for 2024?
Earth for All – A Survival Guide for Humanity
This is what the world will look like in 100 years if we do nothing to stop climate change
Ethiopia used chemicals to kill locusts. Billions of honeybees disappeared
Thousands forced to evacuate as wildfires ravage western Canada
India amends power policy draft to halt new coal-fired capacity
Europe suffers severe drought as temperatures reach record highs
Climate change: Spain breaks record temperature for April
Panama Canal: Drought threatens one of the world’s most important shipping routes
We need to act now to avert catastrophe
Is Your Electric Car Worth the Extinction of a Species?
Spain pleads for aid from EU after historic drought devastates its farmers
Meet the trollhunters who got 600 climate change deniers banned from Twitter
‘No Mow May’: UK gardeners urged to let wildflowers and grass grow
‘Statistically impossible’ heat extremes are here – we identified the regions most at risk
Time to kick the oil addiction before climate change overwhelms us
Much of the US Will Be an ‘Extreme Heat Belt’ by the 2050s
New Research Sparks Concerns That Ocean Circulation Will Collapse
Climate change: How it’s endangering Australian wine tks Steve Johnson
EU Ban on Microplastics In Cosmetics: Too Slow And Too Limited
Three Big Questions We Face in the Age of Extinction
Why Right-Wingers Are So Afraid of Men Eating Vegetables
More than 50,000 wild birds in UK killed by avian flu – double previous estimates
The thinking error that makes people susceptible to climate change denial
Mass timber “definitely not the right way to go” says Benjamin Kromoser
Google Promised to Defund Climate Lies, but the Ads Keep Coming
Climate should be considered in ‘all economic planning’, says expert
Nonstop rain causes severe flooding, partial wall collapse in NYC
Restoring abundant tuna populations benefits people and nature
Historic drought sees Spaniards pray for rain
What makes a good parent? Is acting on climate change as important as love and bedtime stories?
UN rights experts denounce planned Saudi executions of megacity opponents
“It’s just mind boggling.” More than 19,000 undersea volcanoes discovered
EF-3 Tornado Hits Virginia Beach, Virginia
Global politics
President condemns ‘obsession’ with economic growth
Sinn Féin is most popular with every age group but older voters
Sudan fighting: BBC reporter’s perilous journey to leave Khartoum
Ukraine war: Russia scales back Victory Day celebrations
Kremlin drone: Zelensky denies Ukraine attacked Putin or Moscow
Kremlin drone: Zelensky denies Ukraine attacked Putin or Moscow
Anthony Seldon on Boris Johnson: ‘At his heart, he is extraordinarily empty’
Sunak under pressure after dire Tory losses and leadership gripes
Alito thinks he knows who Dobbs leaker is — and says it’s not a conservative
As Biden Runs Again, Black Voters’ Frustration Bubbles
He blew the whistle on Trump’s Truth Social. Now he works at Starbucks.
Jack Smith appears poised to nail Trump with ‘a series of wire fraud charges’: former prosecutor
NC Republicans launch ‘most egregious’ attack in the country on UNC. Why?
Biden betrays our generation by greenlighting the Willow Project
Donald Trump Confirmed as a Russian Asset for 40 Years
Why Trump Won’t Let Go of His Dream of Domination
Biden pick Ajay Banga gets top World Bank job Published
‘The rate is too low’: pressure builds within Labor ranks to raise jobseeker
Business and technology
The Daily: How Streaming Hurt Hollywood Writers Podcast
Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal
Jamie Dimon says ‘this part of the crisis is over’ after JPMorgan Chase buys First Republic
We’re Watching the End of a Digital Media Age. It All Started With Jezebel
Andreessen Horowitz saw the future — but did the future leave it behind?
Social issues
Head of UK’s leading anti-monarchy group arrested at coronation protest
Was austerity worth it? We put the question to two economic heavyweights
What it feels like to get divorced—and possibly remarried—at TED 2023
5 dead in Texas ‘execution-style’ shooting, suspect armed with AR-15 is on the loose
Our Societies Are Being Ensnared by a Vicious Cycle of Hate
New report warns long COVID could be “mass disabling event”
Long COVID Is Being Erased—Again
Covid global health emergency is over, WHO says
Overdose deaths in San Francisco hit 200 in three months: ‘A crying shame’
Belgrade shooting: Teen made ‘kill list’ for Serbia school attack
Carlson’s Text That Alarmed Fox Leaders: ‘It’s Not How White Men Fight’
If you care about press freedom, make some noise about Julian Assange
This Change In IQ Predicts Increased Depression Risk
How Streaming Hurt Hollywood Writers
New York failed Jordan Neely, homeless advocates say
Passion, humour, history
A Trip Through New York City in 1911
Late Night Hosts Sneak Into James Corden’s Bedroom In ‘Late Late Show’ Farewell
This Persian marvel was lost for millennia
Jock Zonfrillo: MasterChef Australia host dies suddenly, aged 46
Tori Bowie: American three-time Olympic medallist and ex-world champion dies aged 32
Chilly willy: photo of phallic iceberg off Canadian coast prompts merriment
Let me know what jumped out at you? Or share with me what you’re reading? I love that!
Cheers
Andrea
Want to get in touch?
All of my contact information is here on Linktree.
Environment education
Four environment resources to help you navigate this challenging territory.
- Knowledge, constantly updating
- Individual action and awareness, so we do our part
- Resources for those struggling with eco-anxiety. Please share with your community.
- Finally, more than 100 mini-videos on many topics regarding the multiple crisis’ we face. Feel free to download and use as your own. No credit necessary.
Uncommon Courage: an invitation
Uncommon Courage is an invitation to be your courageous best self every day. It’s also an antidote to the overwhelm, fear, and rage rolling around the world. But it’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to join an inclusive community that wants to better understand humanities challenges – both global and personal – in order to take courageous action and create a better world for everyone. If Covid19 has given us the time and space to reflect, Uncommon Courage gives us the nudge we need to create lasting change.
You can buy it on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Booktopia, Smashwords, Kobo, Gardners, Odilo, Indie Bound, BookShop by BookTrib and Scribd.
Better yet, order it from your local bookstore, so you can #SupportLocal.
You can read the reviews, including a new five-star review on Book Commentary, another five-star review on ReaderViews, a review on BookTrib, and three more on Booklife, another on Book Commentary and Blue Ink Reviews. I’m also collating reviews on my Website too. Have a look and grateful to everyone who has written or recorded one.
Come and join the conversation in my Facebook Group Uncommon Courage.
Listen in to the Uncommon Courage, the podcast on Apple, Spotify and everywhere podcasts are published.
The Know Show
Check out The Know Show. It’s a fortnightly wrap up of the news!
Climate Courage
A fortnightly conversation on issues that matter to you and I, focusing on the actions we can all take.
18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
Listed by Book Authority in the 100 Best LinkedIn Books of All Time and 22 Best New LinkedIn eBooks To Read In 2021 and 2022 categories. Grab it today if you want to take your professional presence to the next level! When it comes to LinkedIn, it really is time to ask — can you really afford not to have this book in the hands of every employee?
Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader.
Want to claim your stage? Unleash Your Voice – Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman
Feedback
Have I done a great job for you? Can you write a reference on my LinkedIn profile or on my Google Business page? If not for me, why not write one for someone else who inspires you or has helped you? Join the #GivingEconomy.