The Arctic Circle: What we can do

Last night the BBC World Tonight radio programme devoted most of its 45 minutes to the issue I raised yesterday, the development, or not, of the Arctic Circle. It was not very encouraging from an environmentalist’s point of view, but at least it was bringing the issues involved to public attention.

This morning I heard nothing about it on the news, and the main BBC website does not mention the conference in Russia let alone Russia’s declared intent to control the seas and therefore the resources in this special area. It is as if it had never happened.

A friend and client e-mailed me having read my blog yesterday to ask what we as non-politicians can do to help the situation without looking fanatical. It was a good question. There are practical actions that can be taken like writing to MPs or the Foreign/Environmental Secretaries in our different countries, or the UN, to ask that the environmental considerations are not ignored. I know that it takes effort and appears to have little impact - though in fact it always does - and that it can be unappealing.
At times like these it helps first to remain detached and observant while being concerned, and then to remember the power of thought.  By thinking of the planet and the place and the life that depends on it with honour and with love, we are strengthening it without trying to bring about an outcome based on our emotions. We are being positive in our thinking, not bringing fear into the situation. 

The UN will decide, it seems, which country owns the right to which part of the Arctic Circle, and so to pray for good judgment and wisdom by the decision-makers there (again, not a particular outcome) will help enormously too.

These are hard times for people who love the planet, and it is tempting to blame or judge all the nations which are fighting for economic, strategic or geo-political benefit at the expense of the well-being of this special area. It is human nature to do so, but it does not achieve anything. We must accept the present situation as being how it is now, for whatever reason, and do what we can through thought, prayer or action to bring about the best possible outcome for everyone and everything concerned from here on in. It can be done.