As extreme weather patterns become more common, our attitudes towards the homeless need to change

 

A short foreword is needed before I get into this particular post. The fact slipped by me, but the end of last year marked 5 years since I set this blog up in October 2017. 

At the time, I did not know how crazy the idea was, whether my writing would make any sense, or if people would even be interested. A whole 63 blogs later, all of these concerns have been disproven. Whilst it has sometimes been a place for me to vent anger or disgust at a world that has changed dramatically since I started writing, it has served for more than that.

It has become personal to me, in fact it feels even tied to my personality. For each article over the last five years, I can look back and recall key events within both my life and the global political sphere. In some ways, it acts as a personal timeline of opinions, lots of which have changed since my initial writing. And it has developed my writing immeasurably, for the initial ones were even more convoluted than the recent ones!

None of this motivation and joy that I have received from writing, publishing and reflecting on these blogs would have been achieved though without the constant support of you, the readers. It may not have meant much to people, but all views, social media likes and comments maintained my feeling that continuing this was worthwhile. 

So thank you, for even the tiniest bit of engagement and messages, because they have had a massive impact on my blog, and as follows, my life. The regularity of the blogs may decrease, as it has over the five-year period, because life gets in the way. But this blog doesn’t feel finished yet, because there are always more stories to tell. :)

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After another year of ferociously-oscillating temperatures, it is perhaps unsurprising that policymakers in the UK still bury their heads in the sand at the prospect of climate change. For internal political factions and the development of a raging "culture war" apparently dwarf the future of a planet that came long before us, but may not remain after humanity has had its way with it.

There are obvious worldwide effects of climate change that are mired in the inequality of the global socio-political system. Beside the burdened impact of climate change upon poorer countries though - indeed, the emissions of the top 1% are higher than the poorest half of humanity - there are tangible impacts on people in the UK.  

Some are obvious. Heatwaves experienced in the summer are becoming more frequent and deadly, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for the first time in history, something the Met Office described as impossible without human influence. Other extreme weather patterns such as flooding over the last few years have left flood defences in poor condition, and still houses are being built in high-risk zones.

As these weather patterns become more extreme, the often-forgotten and belittled homeless are even more vulnerable. Homelessness in the UK is on the rise as it is, increasing by 11% in the first quarter of 2022. The current cost of living crisis, where some are faced with a choice between heating and eating, is likely to exacerbate these figures and result in many more living on the streets. 

So then, as we emerge out of what has been a bitterly cold December and into another year where the bounds of our planet are tested, will public attitudes to homelessness change? 

Because our attitudes could do with some compassion. Homelessness can result out of personal, social or economic problems - among many others. It is not all alcoholics and drug addicts. Although a significant percentage have turned to those coping mechanisms before, there is a significant distinction to be made. 

Credit: South West Londoner

Substance abuse can be both a cause and result of homelessness.  Imagine, just for a second, you are faced with sub-zero temperatures night after night without any prospect of change. Or now that it is possible in this country, faced with 40 degree-plus temperatures with limited protective shade. I wouldn't blame anyone for turning towards anything to make that more bearable.

So as we go into the new year, it's time to do something about that. We can lobby policymakers to exert some belated action on climate change. Though activism can be tiring, it is worth it. 

It is also time to change misconceptions about the homeless. No-one is expecting a pure moral saint - none of us are - but again pressing for policy change, charity support or trying to put that huge 775-room building in central London to good use can have an impact.

Much like those adversely impacted by climate change around the world, there are not enough of us campaigning for the homeless. But for a twist of fate, it could be any of us in their circumstances, and that alone should motivate us to help.