Big picture - frozen Britain

....and while on the subject of 'bigger pictures' - I love this one of frozen Britain taken by Nasa'a Terra satellite on 7th January.

The bigger picture of below average temperatures

Interesting to see the Met Office's plotting of how some places around the glode are experiencing warmer as well as colder weather. I'm also reminded how difficult it is to imagine temperatures very different from those experienced at the time. So I don't find it unduly surprising that this cold snap in Europe is being seen by some as evidence against global warming as reported here by Leo Hickman and George Monbiot. (I was interested to see the diversity of perspectives in the discussion following this article also.)

How do we break a system?

This is the question George Monbiot asks about 'consumer hell' which he claims is a system we have internalised. I think systems thinking could help here in recognising what and whose systems of interest are in view and would add something to Monbiot's insightful analysis of how the system he refers to currently functions. Bringing about change of the kind he calls for requires social learning and would rely on multi-level concerted action by many stakeholders. But could we have the processes and motivation to work together to do that? The individualism that Monbiot refers to suggests not.

Monbiot's question about breaking a system is contextualised in some of his other comments in the same article:

How do we pursue happiness and well-being rather than growth? I came back from the climate talks Copenhagen depressed for several reasons, but above all because, listening to the discussions at the citizens’ summit, it struck me that we no longer have movements; we have thousands of people each clamouring to have their own visions adopted. We might come together for occasional rallies and marches, but as soon as we start discussing alternatives, solidarity is shattered by possessive individualism. Consumerism has changed all of us.

Michael Maniates analysis of individualisation provides some further useful insights here. I've found some interesting links between Monbiot's and Maniates' viewpoints before - see here.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! A new year, new decade, feels like a new start. We've been out walking in the countryside and thinking about the year ahead. I've really enjoyed the bright cold days. Just now been looking at some of my pictures from late December.

The Commonwealth conversation

Interesting blog here led by Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, the Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society. I like the idea of a 'Commonwealth Conversation'. I've had mixed impressions of activity that comes under the Commonwealth umbrella in the past - not quite sure what to make of it. But the topics covered here certainly have contemporary relevance. According to this website The idea of the Commonwealth conversation is as follows

The Commonwealth turns 60 in 2009. This landmark year offers the perfect opportunity to reflect upon the past and to consider what the future may hold for the association.With this in mind, the RCS is facilitating the largest, global dialogue ever undertaken between the peoples of the Commonwealth about their association.

Why can't I take pictures like this?

Some of the pictures and films that most impress me are beautifully composed pictures of things that it's difficult enough to see let alone photograph! This kingfisher is a case in point. It suggests to me infinite patience. Love it!

Copenhagen - negotiating text

I wasn't surprised to read, in the Guardian, that the draft text for the Copenhagen climate change agreement is long, confusing and contradictory at this stage as all parties have added in their 'corrections' on the initial draft. The process is probably as important as the product but it's depressing to recognise that such agreements do often end up as the lowest common denominator. Pulling it together into a meaningful agreement will require a lot of different skills and understanding. As the article highlights, the big question is "How far will it go to address the traditional sticking points that have delayed progress?" i.e.

• How much are rich countries willing to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, and by when?
• Will large developing nations such as China make an effort to put at least a dent in their soaring levels of pollution?
• How much money must flow from the developed world to developing countries to grease the wheels and secure their approval? How much to compensate for the impact of past emissions, and how much to help prevent future emissions?"