On 22 April 2021 we met in a Hove conservatory to discuss Robin’s How To Save The Planet themed choices
READ: Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm (2018) by Isabel Tree
LISTEN: Planet Earth playlist
WATCH: Blackfish (2013) directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Netflix)
READ: Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm (2018) by Isabel Tree
Robin declared this was fabulous and to varying degrees we all agreed with one outlier. Yep, Nick labelled this “pedestrian” with insufficient sex between Isabella and Charlie. Strange but true.
Wilding (2018) is Isabella Tree's account of how the Knepp estate in West Sussex changed from being a farm to a more natural environment. It's wonderful. Inspiring, informative and passionate. We learnt so much about how nature, left to its own devices, can transform an estate laid bare after decades of intensive agriculture into a rich, diverse ecosystem.
Isabella and her husband Charlie Burrell have also introduced Exmoor ponies, longhorn cattle, red deer and Tamworth pigs which are allowed to roam free on their aristocratic estate. The animals live out in the open all year round and give birth unassisted by humans. Numerous plants, including many rare ones, have returned together with trees, insects, bats and many other organisms. As the herbicides and pesticides of the farm disappear the habitats are regaining some equilibrium. Most surprising is the increase in the variety and abundance of birds including nightingales and turtle doves whose dwindling numbers have made them endangered.
Needless to say it has not all been plain sailing and Isabella details a plethora of issues. These include the response of their neighbours, the limited thinking and attitudes of some conservationists, the difficultly in getting funding, and the behaviour of some visitors to the estate. Nevertheless what ultimately emerges is a compelling and reasoned argument in favour of incentivising more landowners to give some of their land back to nature.
Nick 6 / Tristan 8 / Nigel 9 / Keith 9 / Roland 9 / Robin 10 / Hamish 8
LISTENED: Planet Earth playlist
An interesting and eclectic collection most of which were familiar to the group. Some tunes just seemed to refer to the planet whilst others had an explicitly environmental or ecological subtext. The artist earth was included because or their name. The lyrics of Radiohead’s Idioteque were ambiguous. Possibly about nuclear war? Likewise UB40’s The Earth Dies Screaming. Is that about war? Or what?
Anyway, we all found plenty to enjoy. Favourites included Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, and Louie Armstrong. Marvin Gaye in particular is a gem and his What’s Going On album would also have made a good choice for this theme.
WATCHED: Blackfish (2013) directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Netflix)
Hard-hitting, grim and depressing. We found it hard to dwell on humanity’s treatment of animals as we find it so awful and so completely unnecessary
We hope one day there will be no zoos, circuses with animals, wet markets, dairy farming, meat farming, fishing, as it’s now beyond question that animals have complex emotional lives and deserve the same respect as humans.
HBG endorse it: 19 March 2021 - 22 April 2021
Molly’s Game (Netflix)
Line of Duty (BBC iPlayer)
1234 by Craig Brown (Book/audiobook)
Seaspiracy (Netflix)
Walk around deserted Shermanbury Place nr Henfield, West Sussex
Obama & Springsteen podcast
The Seek app
Promising Young Women (Sky)
Come As You Are (Sky)
Blinded By The Light (Prime)
Next time out we are discussing Roland's choices….
*Troy*
READ: The Silence of the Girls (2018) by Pat Barker
LISTEN: Promises (2021) by Floating Points
WATCH: Troy (2004) directed by Wolfgang Petersen (Prime / DVD)
Date of meeting: Thursday 27th May 2021
Nick will be unveiling the choices for Thursday 24th June 2021
