I have a confession. I'm in love, but frustrated.
I love my partner, my children, my work and the way nature constantly surprises, amazes and reminds me how unimportant people can be. The recent weather is a case in point. A couple of hours of heavy snow and life changed for thousands of people. But that's not why I'm frustrated.
My children make lots of noise and break things, but they're not frustrating me. My partner is fed-up with the cold weather and there's nothing I can do about it. Even that is not the root cause of my frustration.
What's getting me is the short-sightedness of politicians, business leaders and heads of industry. Not all of them obviously. Many work hard to ensure that their actions have a positive impact. But a few fail to see beyond the next spreadsheet or the next election.
In the last Queen's speech, a long-running campaign to get our marine environment legally protected was finally announced. Now, ministers appear to have chucked out requirements to create and protect proper marine reserves. There are all sorts of other examples, from a failure to fully support clean, renewable energy or on transport where aviation gets favoured over more sustainable alternatives. It seems in each case an economic argument is put forward. It always ignores the extra cost (to wildlife, the economy and people) involved in either managing or coping with the environmental damage that will certainly follow inaction.
Climate change will bring more extremes of weather. Un-checked it will be catastrophic. For a better life we should be looking at ways to slow-down, not go faster. Having the time and ability to watch the world go by should be a government objective.
Here's a simple thing you can do to get with the programme. Make or buy a bird box for your partner. You can then gow old together enjoying the birds that nest in it. Happily, National Nest Box Week coincides with Valentines Day. Not as tasty as chocolate but more long-term than a bunch of cut flowers!