Last week was a down week. I don’t get down because of the news – I’ve long since accepted the path we’re on – I get down by the lack of serious action we are taking to address the threats we face.
The knowledge of what is before us is very clear, as we watch the devastating heat extremes and deaths of humans and wildlife across the world, not to mention floods, famine, drought, all the way through to the threat of nuclear war. In response, we’re fiddling around the edges, rather than facing it all as it must be faced – with everything we’ve got. How can our lack of serious action not get me down, when I know the impact of inaction?
It’s hard being a newshound and it’s bound to gets to me sometimes. Some examples include hearing a new announcement of fossil fuel licences (what?!?), the plastics treaty not addressing production (yeah recycling is the solution – not!), water shortages in India when it’s going through extreme heat (they made sure they had the coal in advance, not water? Crazy!), new fashion lines released when we have enough clothes on earth right now to dress the next six generations of humans, and on it goes, all the way through to the advertising I’m constantly exposed to for a world which can no longer exist… if we want a future that is. The disconnect is jarring.
But we had some good news this week, with Trump getting 34 guilty verdicts for 34 counts of falsifying business records, then again, for his supporters this is not good news. The fallout from this is being widely discussed, but when you read this article, you appreciate that this could tear the US apart even more.
Regardless of where you stand, this is a very dangerous time for the US. Then again, it’s not just the US. For every country that is divided, we MUST all focus on the importance of rebuilding trust in our institutions if we want to get through the future we face together. Without strong institutions (the courts, policing, education, health, etc…) the hard times coming are going to be even more brutal. So, as I’ve listened to Republican representatives attacking the court and delegitimizing it following this guilty verdict, the fall-out from that can only be horrendous for the country. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Let’s move on from that to some better news. It’s very exciting to hear that the next President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum is a climate scientist, and as its capital is about to run out of water, as well as facing extreme climate impacts, boy do we need leaders like her. Today, we must vote for earth stewards in our leaders.
Want some inspiration? Listen to these stories from young climate activists. Understand why they do what they do, and even if you don’t like how they do it, appreciate the depth of the emotions. They are terrified for their future. We need to heed young voices.
I couldn’t put this article into the “system”, but check out these numbers for deep fake pornography? Truly frightening and something WE MUST get a handle on. Bravo to AOC for taking this fight on, and regardless, never ever EVER let anyone silence your voice, no matter what!
The big news getting my attention this week is, of course, the heat extremes hitting India and Pakistan. Delhi saw a record of 52.3C (126F) and the images of school kids suffering heat stroke is heartbreaking. But the water shortages, in an extreme heatwave? Check out the arrival of this water truck.
We must transform all aspects of our lives, at scale, across the world, so let’s get to work, because the only thing that matters right now is massive action. Join the team fighting for a live-able future for all life on earth.
Favorite visual this week
Since the guilty verdict of DJT, the meme action is world class, but instead of focusing on memes from that story, this is an image that really caught my attention this week. So much hypocrisy in the world.
Friends content and mine
Shout out to Joanne Flinn for stepping in on The Know Show when we lost our guest this week. It was a deep and wide-ranging conversation – so, check it out if you want to stay up-to-date with what’s going on all over the world.
Plenty more to read, listen to or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform (elink.io) means the articles go back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you.
Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.
Cheers
Andrea
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