Blackshirts under the organic bed
A new 30-page booklet called Organicism and Fascism in the UK claims that the organic movement, including the Soil Association and the Biodynamic Association and also, by association, the Oxford Real Farming Conference, is tainted by its Far Right and racist origins which it fails to face up to. In truth, says Colin Tudge, the … Read more
Not much scope for optimism – but never lose hope!
A fellow journalist, Barrie Lees, has written in pessimistic vein to tell me that my plans for A 21st Century Renaissance (April 2 2025) are unrealistic, or indeed forlorn (see comment number 7). Here’s my response: Dear Barrie, I’m not saying the Renaissance will in any sense be easy. I am merely saying it is … Read more
The fork in the road
We could still aspire to the Sunlit Uplands, says Colin Tudge – but the world’s leaders are taking us and our fellow creatures in the opposite direction. The “People-led Renaissance” is necessary and urgent Truly, humanity has reached a fork in the road; and, influential creatures that we are, whichever way we go we will … Read more
The real cost of junk food: why we need to re-think food strategy from first principles
A new report from economist Tim Jackson at the University of Surrey tells us that our “addiction” to junk food is costing Britain £268 billion per year — which far exceeds the total budget of the NHS. Professor Jackson calls for “bold, ambitious leadership aligned across government” to provide a more propitious “legal, fiscal and … Read more
How might the world be different
In three recent blogs – The Biology of Compassion; Life is a Master-class in Cooperativeness; and The Battle for Darwin’s Soul – I have argued that a capacity for Compassion (kindness; love) is deeply embedded in our psyche. We should have far more faith in ourselves, and in “human nature” in general. Here and in … Read more
Technology – and especially farming – for a kinder world
If we really care about humanity, and our fellow creatures, and the future, then all our technologies, like everything else, must be rooted in the “bedrock principles” of Morality and Ecology. Colin Tudge asks what this might imply in practice There’s a very wide spectrum of technologies, from the humblest of crafts to “high-tech”. Crafts … Read more
Onward the Greens!
Colin Tudge predicts big political re-alliances over the next few years – with a growing army of Greens All political parties are coalitions. As someone once remarked re the Church of England, no two people sharing a pew think exactly the same, and this is abundantly true too of politicians sharing a bench. But some … Read more