I am sure that I am not the only one struggling mentally under the heavy cloud that is the metacrisis; climate collapse, the fall of the international rules-based order, and wars waged under deranged leadership – all fuelled by growing wealth inequality and fascism rearing its ugly head again.
Perhaps worst of all is societal division led by media bias and BS, which makes it all too easy to believe the bad guys are winning and that kindness and decency are on the retreat. But how should we behave in order to be effective in driving urgently needed change?
My wife Geetie is filling the cupboards with lentils and buying wind-up radios; her inclination is to provide not just for our family but for our community. Given the drought and fires of this summer, far worse to come is now inevitable. Who could question the justification of “disruptive” climate protesters – banged up, silenced, and derided? Apparently the disruption to commuters was the real crime.
I have until now avoided watching the People’s Emergency Briefing, even though it was made by friends… Geetie and I felt it would be more than we could bear. But last week we took the plunge and attended a community screening at our local village hall. I stepped out, not happier, but more resolved – yes, massive, disruptive change is inevitable but we can still reduce the scale of the calamity. Nor am I alone in recognising this: the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 found that 72% of people want to see a fast transition away from fossil fuels.
If we can mobilise and maintain our love for each other, while building resilient communities on less complexity and consumption, the disruption ahead might just be bearable. Which is why we’ll be screening the People’s Emergency Briefing online on the 6 November at 2pm (GMT) for Riverford customers.
I’d also recommend the funny and sensitively made film Derek v Derek, which charts the turbulent relationship of two Devon farmers – garrulous, “maverick rewilder” Derek Gow and Derek Banbury, the obstinate, intensive farmer, proud of his orderly hedges.
A lot less hopeful is Sarah Wilson’s book, I Eat the Stars, which I found honest, helpful, and paradoxically uplifting. Personally, I am done with “hopium” – hope without action turns out to be complicity.
Watch the trailer for the People’s Emergency Briefing here
Image of a community screening c/o the People’s Emergency Briefing
Our News from the Farm posts come from Riverford. They are the digital versions of the printed letters which go out to customers, every week via Riverford’s veg boxes. Guy Singh-Watson’s weekly newsletters connect people to the farm with refreshingly honest accounts of the trials and tribulations of producing organic food, and the occasional rant about farming, ethical, and business issues he feels strongly about.
Great. I look forward to the screening.
Will there be some discussion after the film showing, nice to somehow get a collective plan of action.
Yes, following the screening, Guy will be in live conversation with Professor Mike Berners-Lee, exploring the climate and nature crisis, its implications for food and farming, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Customers will also hear about Riverford’s own response to the crisis, before opening up to audience questions.
This is fantastic news about the screening. We were just talking about finding one yesterday. On the point about Devon’s small bakers, there may be more than you think. My husband bakes sourdough every Friday and delivers it by e-bike to his happy community of Torbay customers. It has brought him new friends and helped us both feel we are giving something back. There is definitely hope.
For years now I have used the phrase Hope is not a strategy. You coined a better word for it “Hopium”.
I’d like to send a copy of a book written by 60 British Citizens called Reboot Britain. It has significant input by Dr Charlie Clutterbuck, author of “Food, Farming, Land and Labour”. How might I do this?
Thanks Peter. You’re welcome to send Guy a copy c/o Riverford, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0JU – one of the Riverford team will ensure it reaches him.
Also looking forward to it, but having difficulty finding where to book…
Hi Peter. Riverford customers will receive an email from Riverford with details on how to book onto the free screening. Many thanks.
How can we sign up for this? Thanks
Hi Justine, the screening is for Riverford customers who will have received an email from Riverford or a QR code via Guy’s News in their veg box. If you’re a customer and haven’t received an email about the screening, please feel free to email cs@riverford.co.uk – many thanks.