Ecocide at sea

Ecocide at sea

The House of Lords is an excellent place to be curious. We have a library, periodicals, journals and a little research support. I'd missed this luxury. When you think about "privilege" having curated information and research capacity is just that. 

Because of this, I've taken an interest in rivers and seas. It started with Feargal Sharkey, who inspired me with his passion for clean rivers. Having spent four months in Cornwall caring for Barry, I was shocked to see all the sea-loving families having to avoid multiple beaches because water companies were discharging sewage into the sea.

This week the government published a report into a mass death of sea life on the North East coast of Britain. In a 70-mile stretch of coast, thousands of twitching crabs washed up on the beaches. The government-commissioned review concluded it was probably down to a new unique illness, but not all marine experts hold this view claiming the report failed to explain other species mortalities.

I felt the need to challenge potential complacent thinking of ministers:

"My Lords, the Minister said that there were no other deaths, but independent marine experts claim that there have been deaths of bivalve shellfish, octopuses, barnacles and algae and there is growing evidence that seal populations were affected. If the assumptions in this new report are accurate, it suggests that we have a discrete, pathogenic, multi-species serial killer committing ecocide."

I owe it to the Teeside barnacles to follow this issue in the months ahead.

The more I examine the activity of our water companies, the more alarmed I’ve become. Future projections show a considerable gap between water supply and demand which existing arrangements cannot possibly fill. Less water due to climate change; more people, each of us using double the average per head fifty years ago, and business use rising. 

Can a government be so poor that it allows our country to run out of water? You can decide on that one, but I'll keep digging.

Three years of change in the most extraordinary city in the world

Moving back to weekly work in London has been a joy. I'd missed the place without really knowing it. Things have changed. Since I left in 2019, there has been a proliferation of something called “gender-neutral toilets" or, as they say in the House of Lords, "unisex toilets." When last in Parliament I had a rule to never publicly mention Zionism or Nazism on social media because, well, life's too short. (For clarity: I am a Zionist. I am not a Nazi). After a month in London, I think I better add to that list anything that mentions trans rights policies. I do have views, but I want a quieter life. 

On a slightly more positive note, but still controversial, London has more e-bikes and scooters. I love those Lime bikes. They have a big basket on the handlebars for your bags, and they're the quickest way of getting around the City. My friend is militantly opposed to them as she feels they litter the streets. Each to their own, but they're a Godsend to me. 

Finally, this isn't just a London thing, but the impact is more pronounced; you can't turn a corner without seeing signs for "plant-based food." I have views on this too, which is also probably controversial. If you're going vegan, do it properly and don't be seduced by ultra-processed alternative-meat products. 

I made a target 🎯 

With a new job, a new place to live and a family funeral, I knew January wasn't the month to go fitness crazy. I had one target: to average 10,000 steps for January. I just made it at 10,207, but I needed a few 20k days in the last week. I thought deeply about a February target too. I'm still not ready to lift weights again, so I'm keeping it simple: 11,000 steps and cycle at least once a week. 

Reading 📚

Can we be happier by Richard Layard.

I’m excited to be meeting Richard Layard for a coffee next week, so I’ve been doing my homework by reading his book. For centuries, it was taken that happiness was the most important goal in life. Then somewhere along the way we forgot the role of economic growth as being an enabler for this. It just became a means in itself.

I’m not sure Paul Weller realised he was a Benthamite prophet when he wrote “too much money in too few places, only puts smiles on particular faces” but he is right.

A poll, listening recommendations & more?

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