There is so much bad news about the environment these days. Given that we in the UK have a wilfully blind and destructive government (even though this is a terrible attitude for the economy, for jobs and growth) it’s nice to see a spot of good news from the past few years. In fact, it is wonderful to see habitat protected for future generations to enjoy and indeed for the natural world itself to be left alone. Reminds me why we bother caring in the first place.
About Mark Newton
Hi Mark – lets try not to consider the UK – any green agenda has just gone away!
A couple of weeks ago I couldnt sleep and watched a programme on bears in the USA – it ended with a tribute to one Aldo Leopold, a founding father of US conservation. I followed him up and found a book he had written just before his death, A Sand County Almanac, still available at very reasonable price as a Ballantine paperback. I suspect you may enjoy it if you havent come across it already.
Hi Andrew!
Yes, I suppose this is happening the world over now. Or maybe we’re just better informed about it these days, and things have always been this bad.
That sounds a vaguely familiar title. I’m sure I’ve heard of it. I’ll certainly check it out, as I’m very interested in nature writing at the moment. Thanks for the tip – and hope you’re well!
I’m fine – just hope you are too!
Here’s a rather fine passage that speaks volumes:
(On the death of the Passenger Pigeon)
There
will always be pigeons in books and in museums, but these are effigies
and images, dead to all hardships and to all delights. Book-pigeons
cannot dive out of a cloud to make the deer run for cover, or clap their
wings in thunderous applause of mastladen woods. Book-pigeons cannot
breakfast on new mown wheat in Minnesota, and dine on blueberries in
Canada. They know no urge of seasons; they feel no kiss of sun, no lash
of wind and weather. They live forever by not living at all.
Maybe we will learn.
Now that sounds like a good extract indeed! Definitely worth adding to my wish list.