Make the existing model obsolete
Where focus goes, energy flows.
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller
I’m part of a group that organises cultural talks and socials in Cambridge; last week, we had a clothes swop which was opened by a conversation between Emily Chan, British Vogue’s Senior Sustainability Editor and Daniel Penny, a Journalist discussing circular economy in fashion and designers pushing for change.
The issues seemed insurmountable. Faced with data, one can come away feeling quite powerless.
Emily Chan talked about her experiences working on the ‘inside’ to make change. It is easier often to challenge the status quo from the outside where you might not be a minority among your collegues or criticised.
I loved how Daniel described himself as a ‘Bomb thrower’, exploding ideas. He loveds calling out issues.
In the moment, Emily and Daniel whilst discussing the fashion industry, they could have inserted ‘flowers’ instead. I touched upon some of our industry stats in my series ‘why’ and I often need to return to these pieces to remind myself why I do what I do.
Cheap clothing is comparable to most flowers sat in cellophane wraps in supermarkets and wherever we conveniently grab them. That environment makes it difficult to imagine the processes, people who are involved in producing both. The impact these pieces and flowers have had to be there for our convenience.
That’s what has evolved, a system of convenience. So that we can work extra hard to buy things conveniently so we may go back to work extra hard. But convenience for whom?
Emily and Daniel spoke about seasonal collections and how unsustainable fast fashion is. It is the same with flowers. Supplying roses in February require huge resources to grow them out of their natural season. The system is hugely wasteful. Same for fashion. Where so much product is wasted.
“A sustainable fashion economy doesn’t work in an ‘an add to cart and its there tomorrow”
Danny commented that a lot of industry responds is that ‘it isn’t economical to be sustainable’ (sic). He said “it is not true, it’s just there aren’t the incentives to do so.” And it’s the same for our own choices for food and flowers. It is expensive and time consuming to do so. To be sustainable, no, regenerative, for soils and biodiversity to evolve and optimise themselves without the interference of us. In fact, as far I can see, we often get well in the way.
As I tend to tomatoes in the gardens here, just beginning to flower, perennials sown from seed last year, sending buds up and beans beginning to emerge from the ground, it is clear to me that anything naturally grows has it’s season and takes time. Each harvest is precious. I certainly don’t think that when I see piles of wrapped veg in the supermarket. There is no sense of care and time, just ease.
I return to myself in the garden. I am doing my little bit in my little parcels of garden. As each year passes, the natural season for any plant comes and goes, I know I think a little bit more about my choices. I can’t help it, I keep asking questions regarding what and how I consume. I feel connected to my growing spaces, and their pure energy and simply don’t want anything with less than that same vibration in it.
This is why I advocate for doing what we can in our own spaces. Where we can make a difference and benefit from it. When we tend to our spaces, we are contributing to a better world.
But we need more than that. We need to see others doing it, to be inspired and see a different path. We need to be part of communities that nurture new systems, share knowledge and help grow a new model.
In my work, I aim to inspire a deeper connection to ones space or local, to notice and immerse oneself in the seasons. To talk about a new model and do what I can to work towards that, however small.
In the past I have oscillated between those 3. Working in my own gardens to find myself and recalibrate, working in the local and then on a broader scale on a new model. Too much in the garden and I am in my own head. I love working in my local community, opening the gardens, running courses and visiting others. But it is then seeing all of this join up on a larger scale that makes sense to me of everything we do in our own spaces. That might be at conferences, NGO’s and exhibitions or shows. I find moving between those 3 works to remind me of my why, helping me move with more resilience.
At the crucial time of the impending British Election and European countries all seeing a rise to the extreme right, I am saddened by separation and blame.
I would have loved to have taken my family to the Restore Nature Now march on Saturday but I was busy earning, flowering the wedding of a dear friend’s daughter, planned months before. Where the results of my growing can be harvested and used to celebrate; furthermore, cutting only encourages more flowers to follow. Celebrating and regenerating.
This morning I have been out to the gardens, moved plants about, watered seedlings and smelt the sweet peas (our garden). Yesterday I spent an hour with Reception children at my children’s school to talk and work with the flowers that I grow for their science week (local community). Tomorrow I am off to Groundswell to soak up Farmers talking about Regenerative Farming practise and collective change (national).
I see my job to inspire others to garden their own gardens and trust in a new model.
This week I am both talking about flowers and our gardens in my Childrens school and speaking with other growers at Groundswell hoping to inspire other farmers to include flowers as part of their model.
Then back to plant the last plants waiting for me, stake and weed so that I can see the dahlias. I always want to get back to this space; reassuring myself that there are many many like me doing the same feels me with hope.
I hadn’t thought of the connection between my space, my local and how that fits into a national or even global scale, but now I do, the pieces seem to fit together.
Footnote - I collect quotes. I went looking for the Buckminster Fuller quote and found these among my saves, that seemed to support each other and help me when I grapple for words to express what I want to say. I hope they resonate with you too.
Please like this post and better still, comment. What gives you optimism? How do you get back to yourself when overwhelmed?
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Sometimes it does seem hopeless but there are definitely shifts. Floral foam may not have disappeared but it’s far less widespread. Peat free compost is beginning to dominate.
A decade ago I don’t think people even thought about British-grown flowers. Now there are so many growers like yourself who put the environment first.