your gift for turning science into story, into poetry, is just awesome to watch, my friend. another wondrous meditation that somehow also exists as a call to action!
What a beautiful read in the early morning quiet. I'm going to become a paid subscriber and I hope others do to. We are accustomed to paying for news and supporting journalists. We need to get accustomed to supporting those that inform us in different ways, and who heal us with words. I hope you already have 1000s of paid subscribers, and I am just one more but if not, I hope people read this and join me. 💜
There is something terrible but grounding about the fact that we may wither away, birds will wither away, all life will wither away but what will remain, is the plastic.
I agree. I first wrote about this in 'come to the cliffs' and I couldn't get the image out of my mind, so I'm not surprised it cropped up again here. There is something so awful about it.
Microplastics in every bird lung… how that doesn’t break the heart of every human is beyond me… such an important, urgent message told w such tenderness, as always. X
Your words once again describe my experiences in ways that I can't hope to manage. This week I have been listening to a podcast of one mans ascent of Everest, and I remembered the geese that fly overhead, gleaned from beloved David Attenborough no doubt. And yesterday I rewatched a video about a marine waste project, describing the journey of shotgun pellets from a shop in Nova Scotia to the beaches of Skye (we are embarking on the survey project here very soon). There is a humbling connection, a network, of people that care so deeply, and I am delighted to reach out and connect with them. I am fascinated to learn of the wonders of bird respiration, and despondent about the plastic, and ignorance. As so often, nature captivates and humans destroy with no realisation of their destruction, or worse perhaps no care.
Oh so many parallels! It is always a balm to know a kindred spirit - even if remotely. What is the survey you'll be doing? I've just been working on one using MCS methodology.
I do, sadly, think a lot people don't care about the destruction of the natural world, but I think a big part of that is they simply don't know what they are actually losing. Education and exposure to wild places is so key... and yet the latter especially is becoming harder and harder to do...
so true. The marine litter project is working with Dr Tom Stanton from Loughborough University. He followed up on a 50 year project in Skye, and is coming to Kintyre’s more inaccessible beaches very soon, which is fabulous. Grid squares at the ready! Video link here in case you are interested? https://youtu.be/6G4LVAEn1s0?si=G_f152DEtUkhY-wN
That was fascinating Sarah, thank you for sharing! Orkney has many of the same issues, especially regarding aquaculture waste. We are also using drones up here. Hope your work on the project goes well!
I goggled this up with my morning cup of tea, loving every word. But it's the last phrase, the dystopia is in the details, that will stay with me today as I make my epic drive from the tip of Cornwall back home to North Norfolk.
I gobbled this up with my morning cup of tea, loving every word. But it's the last phrase, the dystopia is in the details, that will stay with me today as I make my epic drive from the tip of Cornwall back home to North Norfolk.
I learn so much from your beautiful writing Rebecca and this is no exception. One thing I did know about was the overview effect, I had read about it before but have never really understood why it would be necessary to go to space to experience it. I completely get it without the need for space travel and struggle to understand why others don’t. Thank you as always 🙏
Thank you Dave, I'm so glad you enjoyed this and yes - it seems a little mysterious to me, too - I suppose for those a little less connected to the natural world, a huge shift in perspective (literally) might be needed to cause that spiritual shift. But I really don't think it is the only way to learn this lesson!
This is beautiful and wild. I remember reading something a long time ago about geese migrating over the Himalayas, how this has been going on so long (since before the mountains became such a formidable obstacle) that it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that mountains and migrating birds have co-evolved, the birds’ capacity for high altitude migration increasing as the mountains pushed farther into the sky. I suppose I might have dreamt this wild tidbit, but then again it all sometimes seems like a crazy dream, windpipe airsacs, respiratory bones, breathing wings and all.
Oh wow!!! What an incredible theory. There's such poetry in that. And yes, so much about our world is like a wonderful fever dream when we really look - so it would not surprise me at all to learn this is true!
The way you move so effortlessly between scientific description of bird lungs to poetic descriptions of birds as bodies laced with sky! From joyful wonder at flying geese to searing lament over microplastics.... your writing is a balm to the soul. And heartbreaking. And rage-inducing.
I love your writing and realized I should go ahead and pay for it :)
I share your interests in coastal habitats, the marvels of life on this planet, the ethics of being a decent person while we are here. Thanks for the reminders that there are many gentle, smart souls out there who want to take care of one another.
You have such a gift for weaving the threads that make our world into a beautiful web of poetry. I breathe slower and find myself coming back to that still center within me as I listen to you read, thank you 💛
you just painted my broken heart
🤍 what a beautiful comment, Mary. Thank you. It seems many of us are walking around with breaking hearts these days.
Yes, Mary. This.
your gift for turning science into story, into poetry, is just awesome to watch, my friend. another wondrous meditation that somehow also exists as a call to action!
🤍 thank you jared!! that means a lot coming from a poetic maestro!
What a beautiful read in the early morning quiet. I'm going to become a paid subscriber and I hope others do to. We are accustomed to paying for news and supporting journalists. We need to get accustomed to supporting those that inform us in different ways, and who heal us with words. I hope you already have 1000s of paid subscribers, and I am just one more but if not, I hope people read this and join me. 💜
Oh thank you so much - your support is hugely appreciated! I hope you continue to enjoy these weekly essays x
There is something terrible but grounding about the fact that we may wither away, birds will wither away, all life will wither away but what will remain, is the plastic.
I agree. I first wrote about this in 'come to the cliffs' and I couldn't get the image out of my mind, so I'm not surprised it cropped up again here. There is something so awful about it.
Microplastics in every bird lung… how that doesn’t break the heart of every human is beyond me… such an important, urgent message told w such tenderness, as always. X
Thank you Morgan! Over the moon to see you back here 🌙
oh!!! that makes my little heart squeeze x
Your words once again describe my experiences in ways that I can't hope to manage. This week I have been listening to a podcast of one mans ascent of Everest, and I remembered the geese that fly overhead, gleaned from beloved David Attenborough no doubt. And yesterday I rewatched a video about a marine waste project, describing the journey of shotgun pellets from a shop in Nova Scotia to the beaches of Skye (we are embarking on the survey project here very soon). There is a humbling connection, a network, of people that care so deeply, and I am delighted to reach out and connect with them. I am fascinated to learn of the wonders of bird respiration, and despondent about the plastic, and ignorance. As so often, nature captivates and humans destroy with no realisation of their destruction, or worse perhaps no care.
Oh so many parallels! It is always a balm to know a kindred spirit - even if remotely. What is the survey you'll be doing? I've just been working on one using MCS methodology.
I do, sadly, think a lot people don't care about the destruction of the natural world, but I think a big part of that is they simply don't know what they are actually losing. Education and exposure to wild places is so key... and yet the latter especially is becoming harder and harder to do...
so true. The marine litter project is working with Dr Tom Stanton from Loughborough University. He followed up on a 50 year project in Skye, and is coming to Kintyre’s more inaccessible beaches very soon, which is fabulous. Grid squares at the ready! Video link here in case you are interested? https://youtu.be/6G4LVAEn1s0?si=G_f152DEtUkhY-wN
That was fascinating Sarah, thank you for sharing! Orkney has many of the same issues, especially regarding aquaculture waste. We are also using drones up here. Hope your work on the project goes well!
This is a poignant and beautifully written piece. "A bird body is a body laced with sky." You paint a vivid picture with your words. Bravo!
Thanks so much, Marcy!
I goggled this up with my morning cup of tea, loving every word. But it's the last phrase, the dystopia is in the details, that will stay with me today as I make my epic drive from the tip of Cornwall back home to North Norfolk.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Have a safe and smooth drive home!
I gobbled this up with my morning cup of tea, loving every word. But it's the last phrase, the dystopia is in the details, that will stay with me today as I make my epic drive from the tip of Cornwall back home to North Norfolk.
“The dystopia is in the details”… so beautifully put x
🤍
Our pale blue dot, how precious it is. Loved reading your post, thank you Rebecca
I'm so glad, Natasha, thank you for commenting!
Adored this piece & have added it to this month's issue of Remarkable Reads: https://karlamariesweet.substack.com/p/remarkable-reads-issue-1 xx
Ambition, optimism/delusion, laziness: a trifecta that amounts to a refusal to look. To really actually look.
I learn so much from your beautiful writing Rebecca and this is no exception. One thing I did know about was the overview effect, I had read about it before but have never really understood why it would be necessary to go to space to experience it. I completely get it without the need for space travel and struggle to understand why others don’t. Thank you as always 🙏
Thank you Dave, I'm so glad you enjoyed this and yes - it seems a little mysterious to me, too - I suppose for those a little less connected to the natural world, a huge shift in perspective (literally) might be needed to cause that spiritual shift. But I really don't think it is the only way to learn this lesson!
This is beautiful and wild. I remember reading something a long time ago about geese migrating over the Himalayas, how this has been going on so long (since before the mountains became such a formidable obstacle) that it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that mountains and migrating birds have co-evolved, the birds’ capacity for high altitude migration increasing as the mountains pushed farther into the sky. I suppose I might have dreamt this wild tidbit, but then again it all sometimes seems like a crazy dream, windpipe airsacs, respiratory bones, breathing wings and all.
Oh wow!!! What an incredible theory. There's such poetry in that. And yes, so much about our world is like a wonderful fever dream when we really look - so it would not surprise me at all to learn this is true!
The way you move so effortlessly between scientific description of bird lungs to poetic descriptions of birds as bodies laced with sky! From joyful wonder at flying geese to searing lament over microplastics.... your writing is a balm to the soul. And heartbreaking. And rage-inducing.
Thank you for this lovely comment, Melanie 🤍 I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I love your writing and realized I should go ahead and pay for it :)
I share your interests in coastal habitats, the marvels of life on this planet, the ethics of being a decent person while we are here. Thanks for the reminders that there are many gentle, smart souls out there who want to take care of one another.
Thank you Sarah, your support is so appreciated! I'm so glad you've been enjoying these essays and hope you continue to 🤍
Rebecca,
You have such a gift for weaving the threads that make our world into a beautiful web of poetry. I breathe slower and find myself coming back to that still center within me as I listen to you read, thank you 💛
🤍 this is so lovely to read. Thank you, Ash.