During this lockdown I read that Mt Everest could be seen again from Kathmandu valley for the first time in many years.
Cities have reduced pollution and enhanced visibility.
And the seas are looking stunning.
And amongst all the chaos and stress and worry and fear, I felt a smidgeon of hope for our dying world.
But then I read of discarded face masks and gloves on the ground and in the oceans.
I hear of selfishness and greed and hatred coming out more than ever.
And I wonder, will things change for the better? Will the world of commercialism, consumerism, materialism, greed and selfishness just go back to how it was? Or will people learn from this?
Maybe some will, but with those very negative traits coming from those in power, it gives others permission to carry on with the selfishness.
Trump says that the highest rate of covid patients in the US, is a 'badge of honour' while ignoring the fact that 92k people have died.
And while 'things' take more precedence to people, I despair. Furlough is currently costing the government £14 billion per month approximately. A scary amount, but to put that into perspective:
Money spent bailing out banks in 2009: £500 billion+
Cost of renewing trident: £200 billion
Cost of HS2 so far: £106 billion
Tax dodged in the UK per year: £70 billion
Countless billions for bombing other countries.
It seems that money can always be found for environmentally damaging projects, but when it comes to supporting people and communities, it's too much effort and compassion and caring are not given priority.
In March the media were covering Italy like a disaster zone, focusing on things like the army shipping coffins. Now when the death toll is 5 times higher here they’re calling teachers militant for not wanting schools to open before there’s a way to do it without more deaths.
And the lockdown has made a mockery of HS2. Who needs to be at a meeting 20 minutes sooner? Spend the billions on social care and save nature.
Yes lockdown poses its own mental health challenges. But can we please stop pretending our former world of long working hours, stressful commutes, hectic crowds, shopping centres, infinite choice, mass consumerism, air pollution and 24/7 everything was a mental health utopia!
Sometimes, it feels like we are just a tiny krill in the vast oceans of humanity.
But I still have hope and faith.
I have to!