Something different from us today. I received an email this morning from Friends of the Earth. It was addressed to me from the Bees.
I wanted to share something personal with you. I’m founder of The Journal of Biophilic Design, I’m also a commercial documentary, portrait and natural world photographer, all my life has been wrapped around conservation, environmentalism and the embracing of nature. My mother was influential on me when I was a child, her own course on ecology and vociferous stance on protecting our rain forests helped shape my thirst for understanding the natural world. My father used to swim in the River Wensum when he was a boy, he loved birds and just being outside, birds would come to sit on his hand or just by him as he painted in the garden. I was a real bird nerd when a child too, priding myself on identifying as many as I could (I still do this I confess…!). I would also spend hours on the beach with my Jack Russell, camera in hand and shooting landscapes. Taking time. Listening to the waves, tasting the salt spray on my lips, having the wind ruffle my hair, feeling the sand between my toes. We lived in London and these trips and holidays out to the coast were pivotal in shaping my ethics and respect for the planet we live on.
I went on to learn about food sustainability, why over-commercialisation of our lives isn’t necessarily the best move, how regaining a connection to nature can really enhance our lives. I’ve travelled to India, Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, across Europe for work and as founder of PhotoAid Global Foundation, and have seen that here in the west we have lost a connection to nature, our disconnect with the food chain, where the milk comes from, how cows are treated, what does the pig farm look like that bred the sausage you’re eating (if you’re still eating meat), were the grains that made your bread farmed intensively, is it surrounded by hedgerows that support thousands of species, or were they sprayed with pesticides?
With the CoronaVirus lockdown, it has made many of us look again at nature, we look forward to the time we get to walk outside for our “exercise”, most of us heading to the local park or the hills if we’re lucky enough to live close to an open space. It seems weird to just walk around an empty high street doesn’t it? I am editor of the Journal of Biophilic Design here, and also of the podcast series (you can subscribe here or on iTunes), I interview many experts to find out why nature is good for us. They cite scientific studies that “prove” nature is good for us. In a recent podcast, I interviewed Roger Preece, the Master of the Royal Foundation of St Katherines. When I asked him why nature is good for us. He replied saying that that was a very philosophical question. He said he didn’t know exactly why, but what he did know was that when you ask people what brings them joy, so many peoples’ answers include nature. This is true. Ask yourself now. If you could do anything right now, what would make you happy? Sitting on a beach, or hiking in the alps, gardening or sitting outside with a good book and a glass of wine?
I wonder how life will be after we all have to go back to our “workplaces”. I am incredibly lucky, I get to work from home with a lovely view out of my window onto cherry trees, the wildlife cavorting just outside. I make my money doing something I love, with people I love too. I try and see the best in things and people, forgiving and moving on if something goes wrong. My exploration of the Tao, Feng Shui, Meditation, Yoga, Long distance walking, cooking whole foods, reading and my first career as an academic in London has also informed my way of life and my life choices. Not sure what compelled me to write this today, it is a steam of consciousness.
If you take anything from this, I would love to know how you are, what you’re doing today and what makes you happy. You can comment below if you like or email me.
I wish you love, joy and happiness in whatever you’re doing today, tomorrow and every day. May those you spend time with honour and respect you, and if you do one thing today, just smile. Lift the corners of your mouth and just smile. You’ll feel better, endorphins will be released and hey, maybe take a little walk outside.
To circle back to the bees… The letter I received from Friends of the Earth, I’m going to reiterate it here:
“For many of you, us bees are probably the last thing on your minds right now. But without us, the impact on global economy and food chains would be devastating.
That’s because we pollinate so many of the crops and plants that provide food and habitat for all sorts of other creatures – including you!
A changing climate and dwindling nature means double trouble for us bees. We’ve already lost 97% of wildflower meadows since the 1930s so we’re finding it harder than ever to survive.
And as we approach summer it means we’ll have to fly even further to find flowers, and compete with other insects for the limited pollen and nectar. That’s partly why as many as 35 species of my fellow bees are on the UK’s threatened species list.
As if that wasn’t hard enough to deal with, we’re also suffering from the extreme weather brought about by climate change. Drought, flooding, and shifting seasons have all made it difficult to find food and shelter.
You can change that though by donating for a Bee Saver Kit. They also make a lovely gift for a friend to show that you’re thinking of them at this time.”
THANKS FOR LISTENING.
Vanessa Champion PhD, founder and editor the The Journal of Biophilic Design.
