Yesterday Willoughby and parts of Sydney had a very short violent storm. I am told it swept from Mosman to Gordon. A bucket load of rain, and exceptionally strong wind. It bought down trees and branches everywhere.

Momo had a vet appointment so I ventured out in the aftermath. Downed power lines and trees closed every fifth road. Our road is still closed this morning only 16 hours after it hit. This morning there are still 44,000 people without power in Sydney of which we are only one.

Unfortunately this is what happens with climate change. More frequent unusual weather events. We can expect more fierce storms. Often after fires we do end up with lots of rain, washing away valuable top soil.

Each day we waste not addressing the problems they compound and worsen. So many people are feeling depressed about the future, and rightfully so. I have read too many say it’s too late.

For inspiration and hope in the past I have turned to Sebastião Salgado. His story is amazing and what he and his family did to restore land that was devistated by poor farming practices. The power of planting trees. I tear up listening to him speak and pour through his photographs in awe. I don’t think the video link makes it to the email, but if you follow the link back to the original blog post I wrote this on, you can watch his ted talk. Try clicking on the title of the post.

Melaleuca at Myall Lakes. Ink series. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2019