Category: Quality of Life

Young Americans Consider Emigrating

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I just completed my term paper in a sociology course that deals with the evolution of societal trends. One trend I examined was suburban isolation, as subdivisions are auto-based. Following advice from a Milwaukee firm whose forte was making dead communities lively, our Garden Atrium site is mostly in a conservation zone with pedestrian cross-paths, so residents get to know one another. Our homeowners call it “living in community,” saying they feel they could get help anytime they might need it – and would give help, too.… Keep reading

“Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink”

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One definition of “comfort” is the absence of distraction.  If it’s too warm in a space, we think about the heat.  If it’s too cold in a space, we think about the cold. But if it’s neither to warm nor too cold, we think about things that are important to us. Going to a sink and turning on the water is comforting, in that we don’t have to worry about the availability and quality of water. It’s near impossible to imagine turning on the tap and having nothing come out. … Keep reading

Hurricane Melissa as Category 5

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Why am I posting this article as a blog, when readers are not likely to be in Jamaica? Some major news events actually have happened for centuries, but weren’t reported, because we didn’t have 24-7 news. Some climatic events may be unique one-time happenings. And some, like this, may be signs of what will become repeated climatic events, Comments afterwards.

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Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica with worst-case scenario as Category 5

Melissa is forecast to bring up to 40 inches of rain,

9 to 13 feet of storm surge and destructive winds when

it makes landfall in Jamaica late Monday into Tuesday.… Keep reading

Nature connection declined 60%.

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With all the political and climate turmoil going on, and the media’s “If it bleeds, it leads” guidelines for reporting news events, here’s an important phenomenon that’s generally unreported, yet has a powerful impact on our quality-of-life experience. I’ll add more, with D, afterwards.

 

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Human connection to nature has

declined 60% in 200 years, study finds

 

Prof Miles Richardson says people risk ‘extinction of

experience’ in the natural world without new policies

 

 

Patrick Barkham

The Guardian

9 Aug 2025

 

People’s connection to nature has declined by more than 60% since 1800, almost exactly mirroring the disappearance of nature words such as river, moss and blossom from books, according to a study.… Keep reading

A Spanish PM Tackles Climate Crisis

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Here’s a positive report about a nation with climate deniers starting to take corrective action. The Nordic nations – Finland, Norway, Demark – made adjustments early, and have not suffered destructive climate events as much as other nations. Spain is like many other nations, with deniers saying there’s no problem and no need for change. Finally, their political leader admits to reality and is initiating corrective action. Comments afterwards.

 

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Climate change kills, Spanish PM tells

deniers at launch of plan to tackle crisis

 

Pedro Sánchez says country’s deadly August wildfires show

society needs to mobilise and take immediate action

 

Sam Jones in Madrid

The Guardian

1 Sep 2025

 

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has announced a 10-point plan to prepare the country for the climate emergency, warning:

 

“If we don’t want to bequeath our children

a Spain that’s grey from fire and flames, or

a Spain that’s brown from floods, then

we need a Spain that’s greener.”… Keep reading