Discussion Group – April/May 2024

The group met on 17th April to talk about the built environment. We were fewer than expected, but enough for a quorum.

We started by mentioning the human footprint on the environment and how people aim to plan land use even for other species. Designated protected areas are also an example of human intervention, for better or worse. China was also mentioned as an example of land use transformation and over-use. We discussed emissions from human sources and various opportunities for emission reduction, giving examples of passiv haus developments and carbon sinks in nature. We suggested alternative materials in buildings, solar panels, renewable energy in general, with all its drawbacks and innovative solutions coming up.

Then the discussion veered off into the legalisation of drugs and cigarettes, and the pitfalls of such decisions, like the Oregon experiment.

We also discussed the size of homes and how the modern lifestyle where everyone wants privacy and separate accommodation, instead of older ways where families lived together in small spaces, is actually causing mental health issues and social disruption.

Our next meeting will be on 15th May, when we want to start discussing parenting.

Dana Dima, Convenor