Time to reset the clock on climate crisis

It is a sobering thought that the dip in carbon dioxide emissions over the last 12 months, falling up to 17% due to the pandemic, meant the world was back to 2006 levels for the year. The same year incidentally that Sir Nicholas Stern's prophetic report for the UK government advised that if we acted then crisis could be averted and to delay would cost more. Sir Nicholas's words were largely ignored, as humanity continued consuming more and dashing like lemmings toward the cliff edge. Humanity continues to consume more, choking up the very planet we depend upon for life. The avalanche of plastic, both in land and across oceans offers a very good example of this process in action. The political class have begun to stir, resulting in the Paris agreement in 2015. But as Greta Thurnberg points out, they have then failed to deliver on those promises. At local level there have been climate emergencies declared but time is running out. Covid has shown what a crisis really looks like and the mobilisation needed to counter it, The government has moved to invest in the development of green infrastructure but is it too little too late? Following the 2008 financial crisis there were radical measures taken to kick start the economy. Among these were the feed in tariff scheme to encourage people to put solar panels on their roofs. There was a big take up. Polluting cars were taken off the roads in their thousands. Then though came the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition. Conservative leader David Cameron made much of his green credentials, being pictured famously with huskies in Greenland but the empty promises were exposed once he got in office, later being quoted as calling for “the ditching of the green crap.” The feed in tariff and other progressive moves have been phased out by a series of Conservative governments. The green economy is where the jobs, as well as the future of the planet reside. Wanstead Climate Action recently highlighted how green jobs could help replace job lost over the period of the pandemic. Thousands of jobs can be created in this sector in Redbridge and beyond across East London. The Green New Deal UK has estimated that 1.2 million green jobs could be created across the UK over the next two years at a cost of £68 billion. The opportunity is there to create good jobs as part of a move into the growing sector of sustainable living. The climate crisis is on us. The Covid pandemic offers an opportunity to take stock and reset the clock. Part of that process must involve fundamentally changing the way in which we live. This means making real change in the way we live and work, failure to so means lurching ever closer to that precipice.

Rich history of Wanstead

The history of Wanstead and the surrounding area makes for a fascinating study. There was Wanstead House that used to stand in the grounds of the park and golf course with its rich history. The final episode being well chronicled in Geraldine Robert’s excellent book, the Angel and the Cad, which tells the story of William Wellesley-Pole and Catherine Tylney Long. The frittering away of the estate, which stood comparison to Blenheim Palace, to the point where it was physically sold off piece by piece. Prior to that, the previous Wanstead House had been the playground of Tudor and Stuart monarchs and courtiers. The house was variously owned by the infamous Richard Rich and later Queen Elizabeth’s favourite Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley. The latter is believed to have married his second wife Lettice Knollys at the house, resulting in his being exiled from court by a scorned and angry Elizabeth. A new study titled Wanstead House: East London’s Lost Palace by Hannah Armstrong comes out next year . Beyond the house, though, here is so much else that has gone on in the area. A lot of Wanstead, as it appears today, came about in the early part of the 20th century. Up until that time it seems to have been mainly made up of farms and forest – a very rural setting. The building of the likes of the Eastern Avenue and arrival of the railway seems to have led to much of the developments. Previously, the landscape was punctuated by large houses, such as the Lake House, which stood where the Belgrave Heights block of flats now stands. On the site of Wanstead Station, there used to be another large house occupied by William Penn, after whom Pennsylvania was later named. Another striking house, was the former the agent’s residence for the Wanstead House Estate, pictured in 1912, with the hunt outside. It was demolished in 1932. In his recent talk on Wanstead history, Chris O’Donnell told the story of the three Nutter sisters – Gertrude, Jessie and Mary, who gave the field at Nutter Lane to the people of Wanstead. It was in their honour that the road was renamed Nutter Lane, it previously having been known as George Lane. Chris also told of the fascinating history of St Marys Church, with links to slave owners and those who fought for abolition, both commemorated in the grounds. It is also a sobering thought that Wanstead House was no doubt financed by income derived from the East India Company, which was linked to the slave trade. Then there is the United Reformed Church at the top of Nightingale and Grosvenor Roads, moved brick by brick from St Pancras and rebuilt here. Another more recent nugget of history concerned the battle post war to stop West Ham Council compulsorily purchasing 163 acres of Wanstead Flats to build a housing estate linking West Ham and Wanstead. A mobilisation, involving the War Damage Organisation in Aldersbrook, together with people from East Ham and West Ham stopped this happening. There is so much history in Wanstead and the surrounding area

Technology takeover?

Technology has come to play a bigger and bigger role in people's lives over the period of the pandemic. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Whatsapp, Skype, Facebook and Twitter are just a few of the many platforms that have enabled connectivity between people. This technology has enabled people to stay in touch, though more than a few have probably had enough of online meetings. The reliance we now place on technology hit home recently, when the internet and cable connection went down. During an online meeting, things were cut short. Turning to the TV, that network was down as well. A message was being given that s cable was not connected, when in reality the network was down. Next morning, the street Whatsapp was alive with chatter about the network going down, so then I knew it was not just me. This minor episode illustrated how essential technology has become, as well as providing an example of a connected community that wasn't there before. There are worries about our present direction of travel, with the assumption that everyone is on line. Increasingly, not being online seems to be inviting isolation and alienation. Many of the traditional high street shops and services are moving online, closing shops and branches. The move of the likes of banks away from a physical to an online presence no doubt makes commercial sense. But what about the less digitally literate person at home alone. They value the chance to speak direct to another person in person. The move to online may make them feel more anxious and insecure. People have literally become addicted to their mobile phones. At some time in the future the ability to converse directly with another human being in person may become a taught social skill. It is good to break digital addiction from time to time - leave the phone behind when you go for a walk. Feel that liberation, a reclaiming of life. The advent of the internet has brought huge access to information for billions. Yet it has also enabled people to lock themselves off in silos, only communicating with like minded individuals. Conspiracy theories and unreality abound. So there are definite pluses and minuses of the present digital revolution. It has been a huge help in so many ways during the pandemic, allowing people to stay in touch. On a more negative note, the technology can also help breed a new type of isolation and loneliness. So moving forward we must continue to use the connectivity of online communication but not let the whole thing takeover, reclaim our lives sometimes.

Labour MP, Jon Cruddas, plots a new path centring around the Dignity of Labour

The Dignity of Labour by Jon Cruddas Published by Polity. Price £14.99 This book from Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas offers a fascinating analysis of where the Labour Party has been going wrong and how it needs to recreate and reposition itself at the heart of work. The Dignity of Labour is just that, looking at how the party has distanced itself from working people and their lives, not seeing work as the engine for change but as somethng increasingly periphery and irrelevant Written during the pandemic Cruddas detects a reawakening in the recognition of the value of work. So nurses, doctors, care workers, supermarket staff and bus drivers were suddenly seen as those doing the vital frontline work of society. The book chronicles the approaches of different post war governents, whilst always retaining a base in the writer's homeland experience in Dagenham and Barking. So there is the rise and fall of Fords in Dagenham, mirrored against the postwar Labour governments and their policies. The rise of populism born of disillusion with political representation, resulting in Brexit and the Trump presidency in the US. The Dagenham experience, though, also offers a beacon for revival. In the noughties, working class disilusionment saw the rise of the BNP, which at one point was poised to take the council. But there was a fightback, that saw the fascist party banished and a new resurgent area created, with Labour at its epicentre Labour held Dagenham and Rainham in 2019, despite it being a top Tory target, with 70% of its residents voting for Brexit. Cruddas argues thay the demise of work is much over stated. He decries those on the left who argue that automation will get rid of many jobs, signalling the way to a new world of work, involving networked youth and Universal Basic Income (UBI). He argues that UBI is a false panacea that could take even more control of their lives away from working people Cruddas adroitly points out that the furlough scheme can be seen as a dry run for UBI. Though, he does not look further at how the present government might adopt UBI, encompassing pensions and Universal Credit systems in the trade off. Cruddas argues that the Labour Party must re-embrace the work agenda, lookng to promote good work and good jobs. A re-engagement in the workplace and across communities, via a new work covenant. This would return security to workers and help overcome inequality. Cruddas has produced an excellent piece of scholary work, which covers a lot of ground in 190 pages. Some will get lost in parts that delve into Marxist theory and the like. But the central thrust is clear, namely the need for Labour to reposition itself at the heart of work and community. It is a book that should be debated across the party and wider Labour movement. There is much to discuss.

Resetting the clock on climate change

It is a sobering thought that the dip in carbon dioxide emissions last year, falling up to 17% due to the pandemic, meant the world was back to 2006 levels for the year. In 2006, Sir Nicholas Stern's prophetic report for the UK government advised that if we acted then crisis could be averted and to delay would cost more. Sir Nicholas's words were largely ignored, as humanity dashed on like lemmings approaching the cliff edge. The political class began to stir, resulting in the Paris agreement in 2015. But as Greta Thurnberg points out, they have then failed to deliver on those Paris promises. Time is running out. Covid has shown what a crisis really looks like and the mobilisation needed to counter it, The climate crisis is looming. The Covid pandemic offers an opportunity to take stock and reset the clock. Part of that process must involve fundamentally changing the way in which we live, not carrying on as before lurching ever closer to that precipice. Published - 27/4/2021 - Independent

Sparrows and Wanstead Park

The existence of the house sparrow is now under threat, with 60% of the population disappearing over recent decades. The loss of insects and increasing levels of nitrogen dioxide are thought to be contributing factors. The house sparrow used to be very popular around Wanstead during the 1970s. I remember seeing them in the garden, park and many other areas. It is now on the red list of endangered species. The house sparrow is one of 10 species being highlighted by the Endangered in Wanstead campaign (www.wnstd.com/the10) The campaign suggests putting out water and food for the birds, including mealworms and waxworms. This is particularly important from April to August, when the birds are breeding. Encouraging insects in the garden with wild areas and log piles are also recommended - no use of pesticides. Concrete surfaces and lighting at night are also not conducive to insect proliferation. There are still house sparrows around this area, so there is a real chance to improve the life prospects for this little bird. The house sparrow can be seen in parts of Wanstead Park, which is another fantastic place to see birds. There are the great spotted and green woodpeckers regularly seen about. The great spotted is seen in the woodland, often located hammering away on a tree, to attract a mate. The green woodpecker is seen on the ground, looking for ants in the grasslands. There are a huge variety of ducks that come through the park, including gadwall, shoveler, teal, wigeon, mallards and tufted. Two elegant goosanders visited on the Perch pond, earlier in the year. It is always a better day when a kingfisher makes an appearance, often just a flash of emerald blue as the small bird darts across the water. Though, you can be lucky and see one perched on a branch. Kingfishers have become more common place over recent years, particularly around the Roding and lakes. Birds of prey can also be seen circling over the park, with buzzards, kestrels and peregrines not uncommon. Wanstead Park is another fantastic area for bird watching but we all also need to do our bit to protect and encourage species, like the house sparrow, that are presently on the endangered list *For more information see:.https://wild.wanstead.org/endangered-house-sparrow

Taking liberties

There seems to be an authoritarian wind blowing through the country at the moment. Momentum has been provided by the lockdown response caused by the pandemic. Unprecedented curbs on individual freedoms and liberties have been justified on the basis of keeping people safe. Laws stopping people assembling together inside or outside, not playing games etc. Only time will tell how effective these measures have been in curbing Covid-19. It will also be interesting to see how many of the measures have had little to do with stopping Covid but a lot to do with just controlling people. There has been a collective sound of relief over recent weeks, as some measures have been relaxed, with the easing of lockdown. Yet, at the same time as some restrictions go, it seems others are coming into effect, such as the idea of a vaccine passport. Many see this as the introduction of ID cards by the back door. A concept long rejected in this country as a fundamental restriction on liberty. In the case of the vaccine passport the argument in favour concerns providing safety, so opening up the likes of large sporting events to big numbers, but how about the discrimination and basic denial of liberties that come as well. Then, there is the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will restrict the right to protest. Ironically, this has brought people out during these Covid times to protest against legislation that will halt the right to protest. Former Home Secretary David Blunkett warned that "banning protest would make us more like Putin's Russia than the UK." In the universities, there have been strange Orwellian moves from government in the name of free speech, effectively deciding who can and cannot be heard. These authoriitarian moves are dangerous for everyone. Dissatisfaction at whatever level should be able to be registered and respected not outlawed. This is a democratic country and the right to free speech, protest and assembly is very much part of that terrain. Policing is by consent, squeezing out the space to protest, putting the police in direct conflict with large dissenting parts of the population, threatens the breakdown of that settlement. It has been said before that the call for the sacrifice of liberties in exchange for security has been the cry of dictators down the ages. There has been a clear call for just such a sacrifice from government during the months of the pandemic, something people have been prepared to abide by for a short period for the common good. That time is now passing, so all restrictions need to be lifted. There also needs to be a wider sea change away from the inward looking restrictive authoritarian state that has for many years been developing in the shadows. The time has come to cry freedom and reclaim our liberties.