This photograph is roughly a year ago. Do you remember? Doesn’t it seem such a long time ago. I was in Port Stephens and we had a group on our a abstract photography workshop. Fires were burning all up and down the East coast of Australia.

Even in this relatively quiet and safe spot we had periods where the smoke was so thick we couldn’t go outside.

I was in Canberra for New Year’s Eve and the smoke was choking us. So many dear friends lost so much in those fires, let alone the majority we don’t know.

Afterwards there felt like something needed to be done about climate change didn’t it. Through this virus we have had a huge year of upheaval and change. It didn’t take long before people I know were telling me about the loss of their loved ones to the virus. It changed us didn’t it. Huge shifts in the way we work, communicate and travel. Let alone the huge psychological changes we have endured. We have watched politics with horror, particularly bad is the ongoing corruption here in Australia by our leaders. I can barely listen to the local news. Whilst it has been incredibly stressful and emotional, we did manage to give our polluting ways a rest. Did you know that an international flight creates more greenhouse gasses than my car does in a year. Yet I feel way more guilty driving it around.

I feel like there is a shift in the air. Don’t you. Things are coming out into the light that have been hidden for too long. We are starting to address them. The majority of the nations in the world are now committed to addressing greenhouse gases. We will step in line soon I suspect despite the rhetoric of our leadership. It’s fascinating that behind the disgusting lack of acknowledgment behind the scenes we are getting ready for what lies ahead.

One hopes this is the last wave of corruption we have to endure before we sweep the floor with their unacceptable crap. Handing out money to friends.

It has been too easy to become depressed with it all. When it all feels too much.

I have to be hopeful for change. Otherwise it’s too much. I have to believe we can turn things around and live a better future. I hope you can feel the winds of change coming like I can.

May 2021 be that year of change that sweeps the world.

Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020