There is certainly a lot of wisdom to be found in some of the North American writings. This quotation seems particularly apt now –
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. – Native American Proverb
While the earth is our responsibility, we must do all we can to preserve it and keep it in good heart. This must surely mean avoiding burning fossil fuels, abandoning one-use plastics and if at all possible becoming vegan or at least eating less meat and dairy produce.
Michael Berkeley’s guest on Private Passions on Radio 3 this Sunday, was James Thornton – an environmental lawyer and ClientEarth founder.
ClientEarth is a charity – you can read more on their website; they are well worth supporting – see below
We are Europe’s pioneering environmental law charity. We take governments to court and win. We force polluting industries to shut down. We protect irreplaceable habitats and vulnerable species.
Now more than ever the planet needs protection. By choosing to support us you are changing the system – for good.
It’s over fifty years since I became vegetarian and twenty six since I became vegan. Back then, it was almost impossible to find much in the way of vegan produce in the supermarkets but now it’s very different. So, more people are gradually beginning to think that we’re not just cranks and that there might must be some good reason behind that choice.
The following poem is a version of one written when I was reading a vegan recipe and thinking of the appalling amount of wasted food which is thrown away every day. A hideous waste when we have so many families going to food banks and so many homeless on our streets.
Recipe
You will need one large onion diced
two garlic cloves finely chopped
two inches of fresh ginger peeled and grated
heat oil in a large saucepan
sauté for a couple of minutes
add the spices cumin, coriander and paprika
colours of autumn – the leaves float
down onto frosted grass and paths
paving the streets with gold and brass
frost brings beauty but not to those
sleeping in doorways and on park benches
add lemongrass, cumin and coriander
take one or two chillies and finely slice
the chilly nights will bring death to some
peel and dice three sweet potatoes
add these chunks to the pan
fry and gently stir to coat with spices
for a couple of minutes add coconut milk
some shiver in thin clothes – no winter coats
leave to simmer gently until tender
left in the cold ignored by crowds
rushing from work to welcome warmth
make sure nothing sticks to the base of the pan
add oriental greens or spinach leaves
in woods soft mosses cushion fallen trunks
vivid greens against the bark and bracken
season with lime juice and salt then serve
on a generous pillow of jasmine rice
pillows of leaves blown into doorways
gold, russet, soft yellows and brown
mix with empty food cartons and cans
serves four
Recipe – yet another version
One large onion diced,
two garlic cloves finely chopped,
two inches fresh ginger peeled and grated.
Heat oil in a saucepan, sauté for two minutes
add spices cumin, turmeric
colours of autumn – the leaves float
down onto frosted grass and paths,
pave the streets with gold and brass
for those who sleep in doorways, on benches.
Add paprika, lemongrass, finely slice two chillies.
Chilly nights will bring death to some.
Peel and dice three sweet potatoes
add these to the pan, add coconut milk after
frying, gently stir to coat with spices
leave to simmer gently until tender .
No winter coats – they shiver in thin clothes,
left lying in the cold, ignored by crowds
rushing from work to home.
Make sure nothing sticks to the pan,
add oriental greens or spinach leaves –
vivid greens against the bark and bracken
soft mosses cushion fallen trunks in woods.
Season with lime juice and salt then serve
on a soft pillow of jasmine rice.
Pillows of leaves blown into doorways
mix with empty cans, food cartons.
Serves four.
Life's a Beach 