07/09/2009 by admin.

LORD MAY ‘GOD HELP US’ 

Lord May, president of the British Association of Science, has suggested that the world [humanity] may have to turn to God to save itself from climate change. On the eve of the association’s national conference, the government’s former chief scientist warned that no country was prepared to take the lead on the issues and a supernatural ’punisher’ was needed to ensure the rules of co-operation were not broken. 

He said that in the past a belief in a god, or gods, that punish the unrighteous may have been part of the mechanism of evolution that maintains co-operation in a dog-eat-dog world. He also believes religious leaders should be doing more to persuade people to combat climate change.

Well our project is designed to help show a deeper magic to creation - be it through God, the Earth Spirit or some other force - through the many examples on this Watch, including…

EASTER ISLAND: HATS OFF

Archaeologists believe they have solved one ancient mystery surrounding the famous Easter Island statues - the source of their giant red hats!

Researchers, Dr Colin Richards and Dr Sue Hamilton from the University of Manchester and University College London, think the hats were rolled down from an ancient volcano.  They came to the conclusion based on a series of clues on the island. Each hat, weighing several tonnes, was carved from volcanic rock. They were placed on the heads of the famous statues all around the coast of the island.  The researchers are joint directors of the “Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Landscapes of Construction Project”. They will be working on the island over the next five years.

We find the timing of the research and its early findings fascinating, especially as a ceremonial adze (axe head) was found in pristine condition next to the hats.  

Precisely how and why the hats were attached is unknown but the comparisions with the mystical top-hat figure at the heart of our story are striking. Its also intriguing that the axe head was discovered beside the monuments given that Charles Lamb’s journal records how Capt Lewin bought one back to Britain following his transatlantic tour and how he inadvertantly caught Charles’ hand with it at ‘The Haymakers Survey’.

The significance of the links is that Easter Island is infamous for the destruction of the eco-system through one of the worst cases of deforestation ever, potentially to help provide sustenance for an ever increasing population. There’s a clear lesson here, especially given the mysterious man in the top hat who seems to be orchestrating every in our tale.

Posted in Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q17 Can you speak another language?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

27/08/2009 by admin.

An ’Elephant in the Room’ is an idiom for a problem that everyone knows about but doesn’t discuss due to taboo or awkwardness. 

Well the challenge of human population growth has manifested itself in the UK, where population growth is at a record 47 year high - growing by 408,000 the biggest increase in almost 50 years.  It now stands at over 61 million. 

The size and growth of the UK population is part of a world-wide phenomenon and the great taboo of environmentalism, largely due to human rights concerns. But many argue the issue is a most serious one, which unchecked is likely to heighten the risk of global ecological catastrophe.

Here’s a little something to brighten the mood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTo4QLuHE88

Posted in Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Q55 Do you believe in truth? | No Comments »

31/03/2009 by admin.

Dr Nina Fedoroff, an influential science advisor in the US Government believes the human population has already exceeded planet Earth’s limits of sustainability, saying “there are probably already too many people on the Earth.” 

Its an issue we explore in our novel. Let’s review some of the latest facts about our crowded Earth:

• Current world population = 6.8bn
• Net growth by day = 218,030 people per day.
• Forecast for 2040 = 9bn.

There are many challenges around food production, access to fresh drinking water, aspirations for a ‘good life’, competition for limited resources and land, and the ceaseless encroachment into the natural world.  All this at a time when the world we know is under threat from rapid changes to the climate. What to do? Its a major global dilemna - with no obvious solution.  It makes us question, “The Meaning of Life?”  Time for some perspective…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buqtdpuZxvk

Posted in Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Q74 Do you like puzzles?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

06/03/2008 by admin.

Britain has had the sunniest winter since records began, basking in 196 hours of sunshine in December, January and February.  That’s a scorching 37% more than average and more than any since records began in 1929.  Those clouds must be feeling terribly lonely; no wonder the Daffodils are out early!

A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that the South-East of England will be as dry as the Sahara desert by 2030. The region will be at risk of serious water shortages that could lead to higher bills and rationing within 22 years.  It has been classed as one of the areas at highest risk due to changes in rainfall and population.  An anagram of SAHARA is - A SARAH, which made her smile.

Scientists are warning of a potential food crisis in years to come due to a range of factors, including growing population, changes in dietary habits in some parts of the world, and the impact of globalwarming.  It’s explained here…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7280000/newsid_7282500/7282572.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Posted in Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q27 Do you like gardening? | No Comments »

21/10/2007 by admin.

The UK’s population is growing faster than previously estimated and is predicted to reach 75 million by 2051.  The UK’s current population is 60 million.

Posted in Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth? | No Comments »

12/09/2007 by admin.

The World Conservation Union has identifed 16,000 species threatned with extinction. The Red List includes gorillas, orangutans, and corals - this means they are now critically endangered, with numbers or orangutans down by 80% in the last 75 years.  The rate of biodiversity loss is so alarming - one in three amphibians, one in four mammals, one in eight birds and 70% of plants are now assessed as at risk of extinction, with human alteration of habitat as the main reason.   What on Earth are we doing to our planet?

The Wildlife Trust report that spring and autumn in Britain seems to be happening at the same time, as forna and flora are confused by our weather.  After the wet summer, trees are already shedding their leaves and mushrooms have appeared, whilst the recent warm spell has brought out bluebells and crocuses, which usually appear in the spring.

This as Prince Charles launched a scheme to help connect children from towns and cities to the countryside - sadly about 1 in 3 have little experience of the rural world. Part of Charles’ vision is to give them the chance to unerstand where there food comes from and to give them the opportunity to pick and eat some fresh fruit.

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »