Emerging from lockdown... where to from here?

AS Chief Seattle said: “Humankind has not woven

the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.”

COVID-19 has opened up a liminal space, a pause during which many of us have had occasion to ponder what really matters and what do we value?

It has become clear that the many systems that we often view as separate – such as economy, health and well-being, family, nature, energy, food production, education, travel – are inextricably linked.

As we now emerge, battered and bruised, renewed and refreshed or at a minimum somewhat chastened, we contemplate how intimately interconnected we all are across the planet. We have been made aware of our vulnerability and the precariousness of the systems that our lives depend on. We have witnessed the unimaginable shut-down of what we consider to be essential pillars of our global economies, such as travel, and a whole range of key businesses and services.

We have surprised ourselves by rapidly adapting to this reality and have endeavoured to find ways to communicate and maintain essential services, whilst keeping health and safety to the forefront.

Fortunately, here in Kerry much of the lock-down period has been accompanied by beautiful weather which coincided with Spring. As many have testified, it was a wonderful opportunity in our slowed-down rhythms to witness, appreciate and be awed and nurtured by the wonders of nature.

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally.

All over the County, as is evidenced by WhatsApp groups and other social-media platforms, novice, aspiring and experienced gardeners; nature lovers and foodies have been sharing tips, information, advice, seeds and plants, recipes, video clips and photographs. These have inspired and encouraged us all to take risks, experiment and learn as we develop skills for life.

Long-fingered projects are in motion or completed, including raised beds, compost systems, bee hives, and biodiversity hotspots. Vegetables, fruit and flowers are delivering their abundance as we emerge from lock-down.

DIY projects that have involved up-cycling, recycling , re-using and re-purposing abandoned materials and resources in sheds and attics have highlighted innovation, creativity and resilience.

Think Tanks in many sectors have been re-imagining new possibilities, collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds in virtual spaces. They are now proceeding to test the waters with these ideas as they converse with family, friends and colleagues in their communities, workplaces and further afield.

Where to next? What have we learned?

What are the ‘gems’ that we can mine from these past three months as we move forward into what many are referring to as the ‘new normal’. What are the dysfunctional aspects of our society that we should leave behind from our economic, health, educational and governing institutions?

What will we bring forward and build into our lives? What new habits, attitudes and activities will we embrace? Can we give more energy and importance to intrinsic values (concern for others, social justice, creativity, self acceptance and connection with nature) as opposed to extrinsic values (social status, wealth, power, image, material success)?

Can we foster greater inter-connectivity and inter-generational sharing across all aspects of our social and economic systems?

As we re-calibrate, we have an opportunity to live our lives so that we lessen our impact on all the precious resources that impact the vital web, of which we are a mere thread. There is no doubt that the decisions we make will have profound impacts on the future of humankind and the ecosystems that support us. Let us continue the conversations.

Kerry’s natural scenery has provided an escape for people during lockdown.

Hiking in the Kerry countryside during lockdown.