acheronta movebo

Clearly, in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions, a single person’s contribution is basically irrelevant (much like a single vote in an election). But my research, first in my masters and now as part of my PhD, has found that doing something bold like giving up flying can have a wider knock-on effect by influencing others and shifting what’s viewed as “normal”.

In a survey I conducted, half of the respondents who knew someone who has given up flying because of climate change said they fly less because of this example. That alone seemed pretty impressive to me. …

I interviewed some of those who had been influenced by a “non-flyer”. They explained that the bold and unusual position to give up flying had: conveyed the seriousness of climate change and flying’s contribution to it; crystallised the link between values and actions; and even reduced feelings of isolation that flying less was a valid and sensible response to climate change. …

FOOD IN MOVIES

Jusepe de Ribera, Saint Joseph (ca. 1635)

I think the famous Ludwig Mies van der Rohe phrase “Less is More” finds here, backwards, its perfect application: the painting is all about Joseph’s ecstatic contemplation of the Highest; only those little white almond blossoms distract our attention from his captivated eyes, but, at the same time, they immediately remind us of the real centre of the painting through the same use of colours.

Graham Durward

1. Incense and Light

2. Incense: Silver Light