The struggle to get people to understand, let alone care about nature, is real. We don't get paid for living simply, but we do it anyway. We don't have running water in our home. We don't have a fridge or freezer, but we do have an organic garden and food in jars, and locally smoked bacon hanging from the beams. We have hedgehogs who come and visit in summer, crows who stop by at sunrise every morning, the occasional fox or deer who crosses the land we take care of. We could write about living a simple life for years and years and never get tired of it, even if no one ever cared, but in our hearts we know that nature would, even if it never said a spoken word.
The reason why so many people don’t seem to understand it is because so many people live from paycheck to paycheck and have too many other things to worry about. The vast majority of people have financial stress and that takes up all the bandwidth they have. It makes less “immediate” things like climate change not as important to them as being able to put food on the table tonight which is a much more pressing issue for them. For most people it is not a matter of not wanting, but a matter of not having the bandwidth to worry about it. Until we can figure out a way to relieve people of financial stress, we are fighting an extremely hard battle. For them, it’s just another worry to pile on top of already excessive worries. It’s sad and it’s only going to get worse, I’m afraid 😢
I totally get the living paycheck to paycheck part, but it's hard to imagine that would be the main reason for not investing enough time in nature, which by and large doesn't cost much more than your time. I lost my online job in March of last year, in a great part to AI and changing algorithms, but it's made us even more conscious about what we grow, and how much we preserve, so that we have more than enough for ourselves, even others. Perhaps it's more of a skill set issue that's missing in society, therefore the importance of nature (that supports us through and through) is lost in translation. Big businesses don't seem to help the case much either. If people found/made more time to spend in nature, some of their excessive worries would go away. There are studies to prove that.
An eye-opening read for me was: poverty, by America from Matthew Desmond. It made me understand why people simply don’t focus on issues that others think are important. For many people it is the main reason not to invest in nature because they literally work so hard and have no time and energy left at the end of the day. It’s more than a job. It’s also the mental stresses that go with it. When I talk with people this very same pattern emerges too, many of them wish they could but they don’t have the bandwidth.
I've noticed a trend developing whereby lower income earners are being used as a scapegoat to justify the availability of cheap food and synthetic clothing. It suggests we need low cost food production so low income earners can eat! It also suggests that we need cheap clothing so low income earners can dress! This is often used to counter environmentally sound initiatives like 'reduce'. Of course we all have a right to nutrient rich food and more sustainable clothing regardless of income. It also plays into the hands of premium brands. A demand has been created for 'expensive', not necessarily quality and durability.
Great post with some solid advice on small changes you can make. We have an area in our yard that we allow to grow wild and since having done so, we have so many insects and birds in the yard. We keep getting more and more creatures. I try to pay attention to what I buy in the stores too, but it’s not always easy especially with the current prices…
Yes, there are so many little everyday choices that can make a difference. The big problem is getting more people to realise this. And to realise that actually, many of these choices can save them money (like cutting down on food waste and unnecessary consumerism, driving more slowly, turning the heating down and wearing an extra jumper instead).
These things are not difficult - unfortunately a lot of people either don't give it a thought or just don't care.
After we started leaving an unmown patch in the garden, we now get bats! I think they must feed on whatever insects hatch in that grass. Also the most beautiful things in my garden are 'gifts' that have arrived unplanned. So many beautiful flowers. New species of birds. The toads. I'm grateful.
A well-made t-shirt in my regular-wear rotation will, no joke, last me 25+ years. A cheap piece of crap, maybe one season. Quality makes a huge difference, and it's easily less expensive in the long run. By a large margin.
No it's not easy. But Nothing worthwhile is. The payback you get is incalculable
Well said Thomas. I hope this inspires people to care more. Thank you too for the link to the film, it was very uplifting.
It’s great isn’t it!!
The struggle to get people to understand, let alone care about nature, is real. We don't get paid for living simply, but we do it anyway. We don't have running water in our home. We don't have a fridge or freezer, but we do have an organic garden and food in jars, and locally smoked bacon hanging from the beams. We have hedgehogs who come and visit in summer, crows who stop by at sunrise every morning, the occasional fox or deer who crosses the land we take care of. We could write about living a simple life for years and years and never get tired of it, even if no one ever cared, but in our hearts we know that nature would, even if it never said a spoken word.
Sounds beautiful!
The reason why so many people don’t seem to understand it is because so many people live from paycheck to paycheck and have too many other things to worry about. The vast majority of people have financial stress and that takes up all the bandwidth they have. It makes less “immediate” things like climate change not as important to them as being able to put food on the table tonight which is a much more pressing issue for them. For most people it is not a matter of not wanting, but a matter of not having the bandwidth to worry about it. Until we can figure out a way to relieve people of financial stress, we are fighting an extremely hard battle. For them, it’s just another worry to pile on top of already excessive worries. It’s sad and it’s only going to get worse, I’m afraid 😢
I totally get the living paycheck to paycheck part, but it's hard to imagine that would be the main reason for not investing enough time in nature, which by and large doesn't cost much more than your time. I lost my online job in March of last year, in a great part to AI and changing algorithms, but it's made us even more conscious about what we grow, and how much we preserve, so that we have more than enough for ourselves, even others. Perhaps it's more of a skill set issue that's missing in society, therefore the importance of nature (that supports us through and through) is lost in translation. Big businesses don't seem to help the case much either. If people found/made more time to spend in nature, some of their excessive worries would go away. There are studies to prove that.
An eye-opening read for me was: poverty, by America from Matthew Desmond. It made me understand why people simply don’t focus on issues that others think are important. For many people it is the main reason not to invest in nature because they literally work so hard and have no time and energy left at the end of the day. It’s more than a job. It’s also the mental stresses that go with it. When I talk with people this very same pattern emerges too, many of them wish they could but they don’t have the bandwidth.
I've noticed a trend developing whereby lower income earners are being used as a scapegoat to justify the availability of cheap food and synthetic clothing. It suggests we need low cost food production so low income earners can eat! It also suggests that we need cheap clothing so low income earners can dress! This is often used to counter environmentally sound initiatives like 'reduce'. Of course we all have a right to nutrient rich food and more sustainable clothing regardless of income. It also plays into the hands of premium brands. A demand has been created for 'expensive', not necessarily quality and durability.
Absolutely. And often people crave the cheapest alternatives because they’re forced to give 80% of their income to landlords…
Very well said, and I love the no-fuss tone here.
Yep, all this.
Great post with some solid advice on small changes you can make. We have an area in our yard that we allow to grow wild and since having done so, we have so many insects and birds in the yard. We keep getting more and more creatures. I try to pay attention to what I buy in the stores too, but it’s not always easy especially with the current prices…
Perfect! You’re making a difference!
The best 🙌🏼
Oh you ❤️
Yes, there are so many little everyday choices that can make a difference. The big problem is getting more people to realise this. And to realise that actually, many of these choices can save them money (like cutting down on food waste and unnecessary consumerism, driving more slowly, turning the heating down and wearing an extra jumper instead).
These things are not difficult - unfortunately a lot of people either don't give it a thought or just don't care.
After we started leaving an unmown patch in the garden, we now get bats! I think they must feed on whatever insects hatch in that grass. Also the most beautiful things in my garden are 'gifts' that have arrived unplanned. So many beautiful flowers. New species of birds. The toads. I'm grateful.
A well-made t-shirt in my regular-wear rotation will, no joke, last me 25+ years. A cheap piece of crap, maybe one season. Quality makes a huge difference, and it's easily less expensive in the long run. By a large margin.
100% this