Paging Earth is a climate communications blog dedicated to demystifying, depolarizing and educating the public about climate change activism and climate science.
Each week, one of our GCP team members shares the content currently making their world go ‘round.
This week, our Southern Communication’s Liaison and Law Analyst Madison Kate Williams shares their top picks:
Hot Off the Press: ‘Timber Mafia’ threatens the future of Romania’s ancient forests
Illegal logging in Romania and Eastern Europe is a lesser known issue, but one that I have been following closely over the years because I have a large interest in Eastern European culture and history. The environmental crimes of the ‘Timber Mafia’ are shrouded in scandal and controversy, with more than half of the lumber logged in Romania being illegal. This illegal logging is connected to the rest of the world, as the lumber is used by companies such as Ikea all over the world. Read more about it and shop sustainable wood and furniture!
Song of the Week: “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver
Growing up in the South, a song played at nearly every event is “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. This song is like an anthem for those of us who have grown up here, because it has a strong personal and environmental nostalgia behind it. Whenever I hear it, it is like I am in the back seat of my parents car driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway, watching the beautiful scenery stream past my window, stopping for some local honey for biscuits in the morning. One of the best things about living in the South is not only the natural beauty of it, but how connected many Southerners are to nature.
Who’s in my Feed: @chicksforclimate
One account that I really like is @chicksforclimate. This campaign joins feminism and environmentalism in a simple, accessible way. It does a great job of covering current issues, while still keeping an overall focus on the climate and climate change. Intersectionality is an important piece of climate communication, and is crucial to making large strides towards inclusive climate solutions. One recent post that they did was a chart that placed actions to fight the climate crisis on a range from the ‘comfort zone’ to the ‘growth zone’. I think that this was a really powerful way to challenge the way we view ourselves in relation to the climate crisis.
What I’m Reading: Mary Oliver
Recently, I have been reading a lot of Mary Oliver poems. They have a lot of environmental and nature themes, and I find them very relaxing, especially if you read them out in the woods. This one is one of my favorites!
“How I go to the woods”
Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable.
I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of praying, as you no doubt have yours.
Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds, until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost unhearable sound of the roses singing.
If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love you very much.”
Mary Oliver
I really like this poem because it takes me to a peaceful place in nature, where you are far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I find nature as a place to find solitude and reflection, while also reconnecting to the Earth.
Podcast of the Week: The Wild Voices Project
One podcast that I really like is the Wild Voices Project. Hosted by Matt Williams, a wild-life photographer, this collection of podcast episodes and photography explores the diversity among conservationists. I like this podcast because I really enjoy promoting environmental action by making connections with conservation and the beauty of nature — which this project does a good job of doing. It also tells the stories of ordinary people working to make a difference, which I find very impactful.
Add To Your Watch List: Untamed Romania
On the same note of deforestation in Eastern Europe, the nature documentary Untamed Romania on Netflix is one of my favorite nature documentaries. Directed by Tom Barton-Humphreys, it was created to bring awareness about the destruction of old growth forests and climate change in relation to Romania’s ecosystems and the rest of Eastern Europe. I really like conservation documentaries because they allow you to take a look into what feels like different worlds, while reminding me why I am working so hard in the fight against climate change.
Eye on the Arts: Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment
One really impactful environmental art installation is housed at Princeton, called Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment. This particular piece is called Fallen Bierstadt (2007) by Varlerie Hegarty, a recreation of an early 19th century piece, Albert Bierstadt’s Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite. In Bierstadt’s piece, we see a beautiful scene of Yosemitie, painted as almost divine with no human influence in sight.
However with Hegarty’s piece, it takes a turn. It is a similar recreation of the painting, but this time the painting is scorched, barely recognizable, with pieces falling to the ground. She is speaking out to the way that humans have destroyed these majestic scenes of nature. While Hegarty is not critiquing Bierstadt — in fact he did a lot of work promoting the National Parks system — her aim is to show the changing state of nature and how we need to be viewing it.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope that people take inspiration from my picks to see that the beauty of nature is everywhere, and also to see the importance of preserving this beauty. Nature is a very special place for many people, generations, and cultures, as shown by many of these pieces. By working to preserve the Earth, we can allow generations to come to experience the connections that we have to nature.
