I went to two full day conferences last week. On balance, I don’t think I could have experienced two more radically different views of the world – the word ‘juxtaposed’ was invented for these situations. . .
Every now and then you write something that will alienate you from your friends. I sincerely hope this is one such instance. I have no pretence, and no charade, but plenty of axes to grind. And in true “Matt this the pot, you’re black” territory I recognises my own hypocrisy in perpetrating many of the crimes I am shortly to list.
Friends – let me introduce to my top five most annoying facebook status updates.
In the build up to Copenhagen and global efforst to consolidate existing hegemonies and avoid sacrifice work towards a fair deal on avoiding climate change, how best to negotiate a fair solution on the issue is all over the news.
One elements of this has caught my eye, and it’s been articulated by Monbiot in the Guardian today. That is, lobbyists and others seem to be either reccomending population control or constraining the development of emerging economies as the solution.
Well, we certainly can’t have a global climate deal without China, India and the rest. But we do a great diservice to ourselves when we demonise the poor as the probllem, precisely because they may, one day, replicate our levels of consumption and really cause carbon emissions to skyrocket.
I was at a Fairtrade talk last year where a coffee farmer from Kenya was asked to justify the carbon footpring of flying his coffee beans in from kenya to the UK for roasting and sale.
He took a minute to calm down.
He then explained that on his farm, he shared one Landrover with three other farmers. His house consisted of two rooms, one with a light and one plug socket. He doesn’t really holiday. He doesn’t have a DVD player, Laptop, Hi Fi, Fridge, PC, Toaster, or Kettle. In short his carbon footprint is about 18 times less than that of the person asking the question; and you’re worrying about the FOOD MILES?
As George says, population growth among those who consume the least is not the problem for carbon emissions; how much electricity does a street kid use, exactly? Population growth and poverty are massive and important problems, but you won’t get a way from the fact that us in the West will certainly have to make lifestyle changes before we can ‘preach’ to the developing world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/sep/28/population-growth-super-rich
You really should read the reviews of this amzon.com product.
PS Sorry for not blogging. I have much to say but it’s taking its time coming out right!
Honest, I am. Just very busy. There are three very big draft posts getting chipped away at, ready any day now. Maybe.
Come say Hi if you’re going to Momentum.
Matt
Because consumers are actually human beings, not rational price takers.
I was driving to my girlfriend’s house on Saturday evening just after the Lions had narrowly failed to pull off one of the great all time comebacks. I pulled off from the traffic lights on the bottom of Gloucester road in Regis the trusty 306, and gave the cyclist next to me a wide berth.
He needed a wider one. This guy weaved all over the place as he set off – lurching left to right before finally hitting his stride. Why don’t you just put it in a lower gear, I thought, as I passed this shaggy haired effete example of youth culture (although he was probably my age). Then I saw that his shiny brand new road bike had no gears; just one cog on the pedals and one at the back.
Part of the reason I’m not so active here right now is that I’ve gotten a little addicted to running. Just did my first 10k this Sunday (46mins, since you ask), and am booked on for the Bristol Half this September.
Here are some shots of my baldheaded bolting across the tarmac. I received two ’shouts’ from the the crowd – one ’sexy legs’ and one ‘Come on you northern whippet”!
Clearly, care in the community is a failed strategy . . .
- Matt overtakes himself from the future
- The brave 300
- Team Nevil Road, Past and Present, Uk, Sweden and US
- Commencing the sprint finish
My mother used to say “if you’ve got nothing nice to say, don’t say it”
I guess I’m in one of those phases where I’m living life from one day to the next without trying to process things too much.
Because sometimers, internal monologue and eternal examination of your own motives and drives actually stops you dead in your tracks.
I’m done with self-examination. Like Bill Johnson, I’ve never gone into myself and my own heart and been encouraged. I’ve always come out weak and sad.
The Psalmist prayed “search me O God”. God inspection, that’s what I’m up for – being open to hear His voice if there is an offensive way in me that needs dealing with. But never ending commenting and debating about worship – as if that has actually strengthened us? Lets focus on what he asked us to do. Heal the sick, cast out demons and cleanse lepers’ love the LORD with all your heart, mind and strength.

Deepest of deep breaths
A moment snatched from the care
A check of the grip,
chalk rubs deep into time worn palms
A steely gaze on the floating goal in my trajectory.
Calves and legs deliver motion
The grip tightens; but we’ve been here before
Rushing wind, adrenaline
Then, the momentary crisis.
I have to let go, but so many variables.
I let go, and hang
Suspended as a still life
Supported only by the air
The prize just beyond my grasp
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