The rain is torrential.
I have just taken these pictures as the rain stopped.
Last year was very wet here in the west of Ireland.
Adaptation to the change in climate is under-way.
Raised beds are made and more are planned.
As I write, the rain has begun again and in between the sun shines.
Climate change is here.
The weather patterns are unpredictable in all except extreme weather expected!
Our governments should have instigated national tree-planting on a war-footing scale, with all available funds channelled into our life-boat…Earth!
Billions of £/$ for war as the killing of human beings continues and our planet slowly expires!
In a dire situation like this, we must take hold of the reins ourselves and plant trees, grow food and permaculture the lifeboat that is our planet.
Here in Ireland, where I live, the government is aware that Ireland has the least tree cover in the whole of Europe, yet is allowing the IMF to harvest all the trees in the National Forests, as part of the debt repayment nonsense that only disconnected bureaucrats could have concocted!
Nicholas Stern, author of the UK government-commissioned review on Climate Change in 2006, said, just a few days ago…”Looking back, I underestimated the risks.
The planet and the atmosphere seem to be absorbing less carbon than we expected, and emissions are rising pretty strongly.
Some of the effects are coming through more quickly than we thought then.”
He was referring to his report, The Stern Review, published in 2006.
Stern expected a rise in global temperatures of between 2 and 3 degrees.
Stern has changed his forecast…upwards saying that we are “on track for something like four “.
Stern goes on to say, “I think I would have been a bit more blunt. I would have been much more strong about the risks of a four- or five-degree rise.”
“This is potentially so dangerous that we have to act strongly.
Do we want to play Russian roulette with two bullets or one?
These risks for many people are existential.”
‘I got it wrong on climate change – it’s far, far worse’~Nicholas Stern
There you have it…we are caught in an escalating situation of weather change that is impacting on our lives as I write.
Plant as if your life depends on it…because it does!
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Colette,
I totally agree, I have a ever-growing list of plants to get. We all need to be more self sufficient, plant tree’s that shade us in the summer but let the light through in the winter. Plant bushes and trees that will provide us with food. Your willow plants hopefully will inspire more people to plant them. They provide so much, wood for the fire, plants to sell, basket making, garden uses. You have showed us all how to do all of these things, thank you. I think it is our duty as stewards of this planet to share and help people to help Mother Earth..
Carole
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We nurture, protect and feed the Earth, for she is our sacred mother.
Therein lies hope for our future and those we love.
Bealtaine Blessings X
Colx
I aree, we need more trees!
I had a serious medical condition in my youth that really plagued my life until I moved to a house that had a magnificent willow tree in the garden. My family did not believe in fanciful things and I therefore I had no pre-conceived notions about the magic of trees – they were just trees, right? wrong! that tree healed me. I discovered that when I sat with my back against it’s bark I would feel something indescribably beautiful, there was a real presence of wamth, comfort and friendship with a gentle restorative energy that radiated through my being. Each day I sat by the tree I grew stonger and was eventually cured. This was a long time ago and I can remember how sad I was to leave that house, I still miss my willow tree friend very much, but whenever I think of him/her I feel a glow.
I plan to plant and grow some willow to use in the garden this year, I’ll need to read back through your posts to learn how to manage it. My little garden is sadly not big enough to accomodate a full grown willow but I have already planted a sweet apple tree and was gifted a little weeping birch, a tiny rowan, ornamental cherry and an (also ornamental, I think) almond tree (pretty but I’m not sure how useful these will be for the wildlife). The garden already has a tall eucalyptus, I’ve heard this is a thirsty tree and that I should cut it down, but I don’t have the heart to do this. A neighbour had already tried to sabotage it by tearing off two large boughs, the poor thing is battered and split but has somehow survived.
I was wondering, if you Colette had a very small garden are there any particular plants or trees that you would favour or prioritise? I would welcome any advice (although there is already so much to be found here on your blog) as I am very inexperienced.
Warmest blessings xx
Cicely
p.s. I’ve also left a comment on your previous post.
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Hi Cicely, I read your comment with much interest…I keep hearing similar stories from people all over the world.
Ff the magic of trees, I have no doubt.
As to the universal consciousness of all life, I have no doubt either.
There are more things in Heaven and Earth than we could ever begin to understand!
Gardens…I have had small gardens and allotments too. Plant willow as an arch…that way it will be kept in check with twice annual pruning and will also support life of all kinds!
Eucalyptus benefits from coppicing, so don’t be too wary of making it smaller. Fruit trees are just wonderful, with form, blossom, fruit and birds, bees and insects. Look at what grows best in your soil type and then use intuition. Nature, once assisted, will soon find her feet!
Blessings from all at Bealtaine Cottage
Colx
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Think globally, act locally.