It gets worse when you discover that, even though the UK has no more coal fired power stations, the rubbish we burn (including all the above plastic), is just as bad as coal: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3wxgje5pwo
This is an amazing example, Johnathan! I've been working in the energy industry for the past two years and I also came across green washing. It's a huge issue in Europe and there are too many loopholes.
I remember a study done in Germany that said that plastic bags were better than reusable cloth bags in terms of CO2 output even when burned like this. I had to think they didn’t take the pollution into account.
Thanks for sharing! I think that reusable cotton bags should be fine. I do like to wash them from time to time but after reading this article I'll wash them more often. The amount of bacteria that collects on them sounds gross.
Single use cotton, on the other hand... that's evil! I am also actively trying to reduce my cotton t-shirts addiction. Cotton consumes so many resources!
That's what was forefront of his mind as Rob Edwards got up, with not unsurprising difficulty given the wholesale assault of ague, creaks and decrepitude on his day by day advancing age.
He managed to pad, without falling, over the window...
Okay Claudia. Thank you. I sampled the opening chapter a little while back - was duly emotionally pulverised by realising the reality posited by its considered wording - but then, ranging forward was off put off reading much further on by the dull-fuck offered by its dull choice of taking readers into that dullest of all settings, aka Committee Land!
And here's my best, hopeful, projection: I'm about to download and will be aiming to read, in slow bites. the full text. I can't commit to contributing comments but don't be surprised, Claudia, if I manage to here and there.
Thanks for joining the club! It’s not an easy (or even entertaining read) but this book struck a nerve and it’s a good start for an interesting discussion on what it takes to transition to a more sustainable world.
Fundamental query Claudia, having just undertaken a quick and dirty further, early reconnoitre into the book, seeking to get a better sense of the shape of the narrative: what is it about the form and structure of the book that merits its being described as a novel?
It may have a narrative arc, which is presently - not entirely surprisingly given I've just made landing on, so to speak, the beach head - eluding me. But I'm struggling to find any sense warp and weft in the fabric of what I'd assumed would be a woven rather a collaged piece of writing? And being, seemingly, so close to and richly laced with facts. how easily will I discern and be able to follow the fiction?
At the moment my sense is what we are going to be reading is matter akin to The Club of Rome Report circa 1960 or the later Brandt North - South Report enriched / enlivened with slices of imaginative speculative fiction. I'd like to think that there will be a narrative thread emerging as I read on rather an uneven hotch-potch of staccato hard to follow leaps from one chapter's ending to the next chapter's opening.
Just airing and sharing early, scoping, reading impressions: okay this a text, a lot pages of text but how does it pan out as a compelling narrative is the question presently foremost in my mind's eye.
I’m excited about this book club but… a bit disappointed in the suggested climate actions. Our individual choices are a drop in the ocean and often we do not have meaningful choices to make. (And don’t get me started on the “fashion trends” of canvas tote bags and reusable water bottles—just switching consumerism to those). Will we be discussing possible collective actions that create systemic change? How to build community around a cause? I’m craving these conversations.
Hi Tara, this could be your daily life project: find ways to create systemic change and start those conversations. At the end of these four months I will invite everyone to write an essay about their daily project. This project is about what everyone one of us can do. No action is too small. No action is insignificant. Those of us who can do more and inspire others should do so.
Hahaha perfect that’s literally my job. I’ve just started holistic sustainability consulting services and solutions for systemic change are going to be a major theme on my posts here.
My only request is that we’re all kind to each other. This is a fiction space and all my time and energy goes into writing fiction. The book club is a seasonal offering and the daily projects are personal to everyone and not the scope of this publication.
I’m all about kindness. My last thesis paper brought up the argument that care holds the fabric of society together and I offered 6 Questions of Care to shift modern environmental law (both int’l and domestic) into a space of Ecocentric equity: meeting the needs of individuals and groups based on what the ecosystem they inhabit has to offer. Being kind to Nature is being kind to ourselves 💖
I would love to take part in this, but it would mean having to read the book again, and I don't have time given all the other things I want to read from my new friends and acquaintances on SubStacky - I am sure the discussion will be far more enjoyable than the reading - wishing all the participants well for the future!
Thanks, Nick! You're welcome to join the discussions, especially since you already read the book and can contribute. I totally understand not wanting to read it again. Next time I'll select a book that was published more recently. But The Ministry for the Future was requested by several people who never to got to reading it and I thought that it would be a good start.
Looking forward to this book reading, Claudia. Thank you for taking the initiative!
I'm a member of my local community's Sustainability Group. The most recent discussion we had was how to avoid this 'greenwashing problem' in the UK: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/tesco-sainsbury-recycling-bags-burned-b2621769.html
It gets worse when you discover that, even though the UK has no more coal fired power stations, the rubbish we burn (including all the above plastic), is just as bad as coal: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3wxgje5pwo
This is an amazing example, Johnathan! I've been working in the energy industry for the past two years and I also came across green washing. It's a huge issue in Europe and there are too many loopholes.
Thanks for joining the club! Looking forward.
I remember a study done in Germany that said that plastic bags were better than reusable cloth bags in terms of CO2 output even when burned like this. I had to think they didn’t take the pollution into account.
I never heard of this study. Something interesting to share with the community. We can all learn together.
Maybe I was wrong about the country. Here’s what I found with a quick search but maybe more recent studies have disproved this. https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/04/30/plastic-paper-cotton-bags/
Thanks for sharing! I think that reusable cotton bags should be fine. I do like to wash them from time to time but after reading this article I'll wash them more often. The amount of bacteria that collects on them sounds gross.
Single use cotton, on the other hand... that's evil! I am also actively trying to reduce my cotton t-shirts addiction. Cotton consumes so many resources!
I think it depends on if these are 'life' bags or disposable ones.
That’s what I would think as well. Disposable cotton bags are a crime.
Its not just getting but definitely being hotter.
That's what was forefront of his mind as Rob Edwards got up, with not unsurprising difficulty given the wholesale assault of ague, creaks and decrepitude on his day by day advancing age.
He managed to pad, without falling, over the window...
Okay Claudia. Thank you. I sampled the opening chapter a little while back - was duly emotionally pulverised by realising the reality posited by its considered wording - but then, ranging forward was off put off reading much further on by the dull-fuck offered by its dull choice of taking readers into that dullest of all settings, aka Committee Land!
And here's my best, hopeful, projection: I'm about to download and will be aiming to read, in slow bites. the full text. I can't commit to contributing comments but don't be surprised, Claudia, if I manage to here and there.
Brilliant reading, airing and sharing project.
Bon chance Claudia.
Thanks for joining the club! It’s not an easy (or even entertaining read) but this book struck a nerve and it’s a good start for an interesting discussion on what it takes to transition to a more sustainable world.
Fundamental query Claudia, having just undertaken a quick and dirty further, early reconnoitre into the book, seeking to get a better sense of the shape of the narrative: what is it about the form and structure of the book that merits its being described as a novel?
It may have a narrative arc, which is presently - not entirely surprisingly given I've just made landing on, so to speak, the beach head - eluding me. But I'm struggling to find any sense warp and weft in the fabric of what I'd assumed would be a woven rather a collaged piece of writing? And being, seemingly, so close to and richly laced with facts. how easily will I discern and be able to follow the fiction?
At the moment my sense is what we are going to be reading is matter akin to The Club of Rome Report circa 1960 or the later Brandt North - South Report enriched / enlivened with slices of imaginative speculative fiction. I'd like to think that there will be a narrative thread emerging as I read on rather an uneven hotch-potch of staccato hard to follow leaps from one chapter's ending to the next chapter's opening.
Just airing and sharing early, scoping, reading impressions: okay this a text, a lot pages of text but how does it pan out as a compelling narrative is the question presently foremost in my mind's eye.
I’m excited about this book club but… a bit disappointed in the suggested climate actions. Our individual choices are a drop in the ocean and often we do not have meaningful choices to make. (And don’t get me started on the “fashion trends” of canvas tote bags and reusable water bottles—just switching consumerism to those). Will we be discussing possible collective actions that create systemic change? How to build community around a cause? I’m craving these conversations.
Hi Tara, this could be your daily life project: find ways to create systemic change and start those conversations. At the end of these four months I will invite everyone to write an essay about their daily project. This project is about what everyone one of us can do. No action is too small. No action is insignificant. Those of us who can do more and inspire others should do so.
Hahaha perfect that’s literally my job. I’ve just started holistic sustainability consulting services and solutions for systemic change are going to be a major theme on my posts here.
That‘s great! 👍
My only request is that we’re all kind to each other. This is a fiction space and all my time and energy goes into writing fiction. The book club is a seasonal offering and the daily projects are personal to everyone and not the scope of this publication.
I’m all about kindness. My last thesis paper brought up the argument that care holds the fabric of society together and I offered 6 Questions of Care to shift modern environmental law (both int’l and domestic) into a space of Ecocentric equity: meeting the needs of individuals and groups based on what the ecosystem they inhabit has to offer. Being kind to Nature is being kind to ourselves 💖
Thank you 🙏🏻. I'm looking forward to talking more about these ideas in the upcoming weeks. ☺️
I am so in! I keep meaning to get this book but postponing it; now I have an excuse!
Thanks for joining, Peter! A great little group is coming together!
I would love to take part in this, but it would mean having to read the book again, and I don't have time given all the other things I want to read from my new friends and acquaintances on SubStacky - I am sure the discussion will be far more enjoyable than the reading - wishing all the participants well for the future!
Thanks, Nick! You're welcome to join the discussions, especially since you already read the book and can contribute. I totally understand not wanting to read it again. Next time I'll select a book that was published more recently. But The Ministry for the Future was requested by several people who never to got to reading it and I thought that it would be a good start.
im sure it will stir debate because generally it gets either 5 stars or 1 star.
Oh yeah, that's one of the reasons I'm reading the book again. Looking forward to the discussions 😁. I won't ask into which camp you fall...
Got my copy last week. Looking forward to it.
I'll start a chat thread in a bit! Happy to have you onboard.