The CommonTree
I am fascinated and terrified by everything related to Climate Change. I am not a climate or environmental scientist but take every opportunity to study the field. The more I learn, the more I feel compelled to join the millions of people worldwide taking action to limit the severity of Climate Change. As a Jewish, British, social scientist living in Australia with an inspiring husband and three school-aged kids, I believe I have a unique perspective to add to the conversation. Please join me as I climb, run and stumble my way through the biggest challenge that has ever faced humankind.
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Towards an all-inclusive Tu Bishvat
Tomorrow (Shabbat 11th February) we celebrate Tu Bishvat, the Jewish New Year for trees. It is a time when we celebrate the natural world, when we take time to contemplate all that God has provided for us – the trees, flowers, fruit, rivers, seas. But in such times of celebration we must also spare a thought for those less fortunate. Those subject to rejection because their physical form isn’t perfect. Those who find themselves dismissed ...
May it bee a sweet new year
"May you bee inscribed and sealed in the book of life for a good and sweet new year. May all your offspring survive to see adulthood and may you successfully pollinate our crops so that we will have sufficient to eat." It's not that I'm actually suggesting this prayer is added to our Rosh HaShanah prayer books - heaven know the services last long enough already - but the words did spring to mind now that we are surrounded by pictures of fluffy ...
Kosher Palm Oil
Until recently I thought I understood the problem with palm oil. I thought palm oil meant unethical agricultural practices causing the destruction of equatorial rainforests, driving Orangutans to extinction and contributing significantly to climate change. I believed that products where palm oil was listed as an ingredient are worse than those where palm oil is not listed as an ingredient. I understood that environment groups advocated boycotting manufa...
