On My Mind in July

Balcony nights

Summer evenings on my balcony are blissful. Gentle euphoria. A pocket of regeneration and peace. It’s the third summer of the pandemic. The first summer of the Russia-Ukraine war. And perhaps the first summer when the climate emergency is beyond any doubt.

We are experiencing heatwaves and droughts and flooding and wildfires at unprecedented rates. And it’s accelerating at a pace that is much faster than any of the predictions. I switch the radio on. The news is about how the pilot’s strike has come to an end. Interviews with pilots, SAS representatives and travellers affected by the strike. But surely, oughtn’t we be using other means of travel than airplanes?

Then the leader of the Swedish Conservative Party is asked how Sweden can reach its commitment to the Paris Agreement. He responds that “his goal is that people won’t need to make any lifestyle changes because nobody in a Democracy will want to live their life in a permanent state of pandemic”.

But surely nobody wants to live, or die, through or because of a pandemic? Or a war? Or a climate emergency? Surely the pandemic or war or climate emergency won’t magically go away if we close our eyes? If we just carry on as normal - especially if that very behaviour sparks the crisis? I feel my mind twisting with Cognitive dissonance.

• The Ebb & Flow of Creativity: The tide is on the ebb.

• On my Palette: Lime green, sunny yellow and shades of purple. Charcoal and cream.

• Still Reading: Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity by Imi Lo.

• Radio: The Long History of Argument. Exploring the strange human phenomenon of arguing and why it matters so deeply to our lives. BBC.

• In my Kitchen: Ajo blanco.

• On my Balcony: Peace and quiet. The long view.