THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Just before Christmas last year, Arnold Schwarzenegger (of Mr Universe, Terminator, Governor of California fame… you’ve heard of him, right?) posted a short essay on Facebook about climate change. It was titled:
I don’t give a **** if we agree about climate change
A fantastic, emotive title, but even better is what he had to say in the post – he refused to spend the time debating with naysayers who didn’t believe in climate change. Just took this waste of time and energy arguing about ‘the facts’ right out of the equation.
“To use one of the four-letter words all of you commenters love, I don’t give a damn if you believe in climate change. I couldn’t care less if you’re concerned about temperatures rising or melting glaciers. It doesn’t matter to me which of us is right about the science.”
By wiping the table clean, he could focus on what was important – that if we wish to continue living the lives we do, we need clean, renewable energy.
He then insists it is time to invest in a clean energy future, and backs it up with the simplest way to win any political argument – by quoting how much money can be made/saved by changing to renewable energy sources.
You can’t argue with the numbers!
Schwarzenegger’s essay is a masterpiece. Not just because it supports an idea we think is important and are emotionally invested in, but because he changes the terms of engagement and concentrates on the heart of the matter – making change.
He is one interesting and smart man (oh yes!) and at Modern Mint we salute the work he is doing to help the planet.
To read the whole essay you can visit Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Facebook page here.
To see how a farm in the UK is combating climate change, read our blog post on Wild Farming at Village Farm.
To turn your garden into a sustainable haven, there is only one book you need – How To Create an Eco Garden by John Walker, the earth friendly gardener.
Topiary, The Art Garden at The Henderson
The Art Garden at The Henderson in Hong-Kong has now opened to the public. I joined the project last March, to work with Gillespies Landscape Architects on the topiary that had been designed for the Art Garden, which gives a calm, green space below the extraordinary Henderson skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The garden has been designed with butterflies in mind, so lots of nectar plants, and has other art projects and installations within its footprint. The history of the site is interesting too – it was originally the first cricket ground in Hong-Kong! So still a green space….! …
ClipFest 2025
On Sunday June 22nd there will be Clipfest 2025 at Ichi-Coo Park in Surrey. It is a celebration of all things pruning and topiary, and I will be there in my capacity of teacher at the European Boxwood and Topiary Society to demonstrate tool cleaning and sharpening, and how to clip. Tickets can be found here on Eventbrite. We are hoping for great weather and to see lots of keen pruners getting their shears out and joining us at this amazing garden! And for more on topiary…
Secateur Holders
A present arrived from Norway today, from a student who visited last February to work with Chris Poole and I on learning topiary. His new hobby – a beautiful and neatly stitched secateur holder. Thrilled with this! The holder will save me keep losing my secatuers too…! Thank you Bernt! It was the same student who introduced me to the APA with whom I am doing a talk at the end of March. Tickets can be bought here for ‘Defining The Essence – Aesthetic Pruning in the Garden’. Do join the European Boxwood and Topiary Society for that!