"There have been 2,500 arrests at campuses nationwide now.
113 prosecutors across the country are responsible for charging protesters. We asked every one if they plan to prosecute or dismiss charges against protesters. Here are their answers:" (@megoconnor13)
Our house martins are back, and this is the first morning we've heard their distinctive calls. Soon we'll be enjoying our first coffee on the terrace, watching them. Our flat is on the same level as their nests, which are currently occupied by sparrows. In previous years, they had been able to reclaim them. Here we go for the next few months, living to the rhythm of our house martins! #Bliss
Yesterday I took part in a second day of citizens' deliberation organised by Real Deal (Brussels), this time with a feminist lens and the tools of the Women Engage for a Common Future team.
I wasn't able to attend the afternoon of proposals writing, but the morning of discussions and networking was fascinating and energising. It's so good to work on what brings us together, while drawing on our differences!
Pollen in Luxembourg, the birch count is frightening (as I'm allergic, it's not a great time at the moment).
Does anyone know anything about 'standard' pollen concentrations? Do trees release more pollen to increase* their chances of survival in a world in climate crisis?
*During a presentation with the Directeur de l'Administration de la nature et des forêts in Luxembourg in 2022, I discovered that the same oak tree could have different genetic material depending on its branches, to increase its capacity to adapt (spatial orientation and climate impact). Nature never ceases to amaze me.
@thepoliticalcat "Scientists say intensified seasonal allergies are among the first wave of anticipated health impacts from global warning, along with greater exposure to infectious diseases. (...) There’s some evidence that increases in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are making pollen more potent, too."
“Pas d’épanouissement individuel sans émancipation collective. Pas de scènes sans partage, pas de littérature sans slam, pas d’artistique sans éducation populaire, pas de culturel sans social, pas de démocratie sans paroles citoyennes, pas de poésie sans engagement, pas de vie sans poésie.” (Lisette Lombé, Poétesse Nationale de Belgique, 2024)
Very pleased to have taken part in yesterday's European Citizens Deliberation Forum on the Green Transition, with interesting discussions with participants from 28 countries (24 EU member states).
Sharing our experience and knowledge at a European level is really important!
Self-organisation without governance remains difficult and not without limits (who speaks? to say what? for what purpose?).
It's really complicated to live in a world that can only have one meaning per concept. Analysing transport data is complicated for me (surveillance risks), but it's also useful for assessing collective needs. However, there are walkable cities that are already working on some of the principles of the 15-minute city. Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) has been around since the 1970s. And it's one of the towns where I see the most independent wheelchair users.
Today I joined my home town (Brussels) and the 20,000 participants in the Climate March, to sing, to be together, to remind everyone of the urgency of the climate in this time of COP28, the solutions that exist, and that the planet doesn't give a damn about pauses in climate action.