Lake District

Another batch of pictures have just been uploaded to my Flickr account.

I found a nice tool called JUploader which made the batch upload nice and easy.

I am also starting to get used to using the flickr hyperlinking on comments, favourites, tags and searches to find my "picture network".

Recent thoughts about sustainability

First to clarify, I lump conservation, climate change, pollution and all those types of words under one banner named sustainability. Nature is about harmony, and every time we break this harmony we are living beyond the bounds of sustainability.

I have been very positive about the situation these last few days (maybe still drunk on the Lake District) but I think it is largely because I feel I understand the issues so well now. Also there is no point at all in being down about it. We all have to do something about it, and being depressed and lethargic will never solve any problems. Sure it is very frustrating seeing how most people just don't get it and even take pride in their consumptive habits. This is just about maturity.

So why so positive. Well I actually now think that climate chaos is precisely what we humans need. It is a massive kick up the arse, a real problem at last for Generation X to take on. It will help us see past the trivial issues like the fuss the world's religions are creating. It will help us define ourselves after so many years of extreme change. We must all come together to solve this enormous problem. We can undo the mess Thatcher and Reagan created by encouraging us to be greedy so fragmenting our societies. There is no way we can afford to behave selfishly and get through the next 50 years.

The vindictive elements in me wants to change society slowly so that the sustainable people profit and the Exxon's of the worlds come crashing down like Enron did. I want to wipe those smug business people smiles right off their faces. Those people who think they are so virtuous and innovative with their tacky companies. I want these business psychopaths to realise what they've done and their true worth.

Whether this will happen and the next generation will make it into the next century I do not know. But all we can do is live our own lives with as much energy and integrity as possible. I think their is real joy in the alternatives, and we will find it much easier than we think. Its just a case of realising how vulnerable we really are and not hiding behind oil guzzling machinery.

The Lake District

First let's get that bad stuff out of the way. This English haven for walkers and the out-door types is pretty much inaccessible to those without a car. The roads are very narrow and there are rarely paths through the surrounding farm land so anyone wanting to walk between two towns has to risk their lives with the local S.U.V.s, Land rovers and city-dweller Mercedes. Even the Lake District is an unsustainable playground for the rich. I am sure there is a way to get into the wilderness without using too much oil buts its far from obvious how.

Anyway, less of the rant, the Lake District is an incredible place once you find the footpaths. We walked for hours without seeing a soul. Its like being in a postcard but without the cheesiness. Water is everywhere, streams, lakes, drizzle and waterfalls. The whole landscape is sculptured by blue gold.

And camping, I'd forgotten what a joy it is. If you live in Oxford you really appreciate waking with sweet fresh air in your lungs. Then a quick dash to the showers to freshen up starts the day and gets you ready for the camping stove fun. We did porridge with cranberries and bananas which when accompanied with a big hot cupper set you up beautifully. Hiking out with a belly full of energy is a joyous moment. I noticed we could not stop rabbiting on about all sorts of things. Like those teenage stoned moments without the herb.

I was in an incredible good mood when I got back. Of course the 800+ emails I had to sort through on returning to work had a dampening effect but the inner chi is energised. I just denoted £50 smackers to the WWF (And No! Mr Adsense guys, this is not breaking your rules, I really did just do this!)

Anyway, while I am still dizzy on nature, my message: our cities stink, get out of your cars, turn the TV off, alcohol only subdues your problems...Get out there, natural beauty pisses over anything man-made.

Cricket Road

Is has damp but is a robust house.

This Oxford campaign

Just before I run away for two weeks in Spain I want to reflect a bit on where I am in my research and thinking on dealing with pollution in Oxford.

Well Oxford is still very polluted. I am still frustrated at how hard it is to get information out of local and central government:

• Nothing from John at county council on the LTP
  
• Nothing from Evan Harris my MP
• Nothing from air watch on whether the way air quality measurements have been changed
• Nothing on why the cost of pollution on the economy from central government
  

I think it would be interesting to find out the history of decision-making in terms of roads and traffic have been made over the last 100 years, particuarly how much say the car manufacturers have had. Morris, Rover and now BMWs mini must have powerful sway over decision-making considering revenue and jobs.

I still need to find out specifics about the vulnerable people in Oxford.

I still need to plan my campaign with FOE.

I still need to do the survey to find why people come to Oxford and how they get there.