As we head towards 2050 and beyond, our society will be faced with many challenges.
Climate change, food security, equality, justice, health and welfare challenges are but a few. Here I share my thoughts and observations about many current and continuing issues. I would be pleased to receive your feedback and I invite you to join me in the conversations.
I am conflicted.
I was having one of those days. You know the kind where there is an internal conflict of the need to do housework versus the want to spend time in the sun with a good book and then there is the matter of voices in my head telling me to let go of things I can’t possibly change; but letting go is like putting down said good book to do housework.
You see….I am conflicted!
I retreated to my sanctuary (Moonta Bay’s white sandy beach) very early yesterday morning in an effort to find that elusive equilibrium of a clear mind and a positive outlook. Upon returning home to a hearty breakfast, strong coffee and the morning papers the symmetry I’d attained had all but vanished by the time I’d turned to page three.
The ‘things’ I can’t let go of are not limited to but include the deep concern I have for our environment, fellow humans caught up in raging war-zones, the man I saw this morning scavenging through a bin and the woman at the bookstore who was paying off her meagre lay-by two dollars at a time.
Then there’s the matter of my kids and what opportunities in terms of work will be available for them in the short, medium and long term. Will they continue to be happy and healthy; will they have safe food and clean water?
I’m conflicted by the use of the word “Innovate”.
I use the word often in the context of calling on our Governments (State & Federal) to embrace Industrial Hemp and Medical Cannabis. A website I visited recently described innovation as ‘the long-term solution for developed economies seeking sustained economic prosperity and improved quality of life.’
Yes! – Innovation paired with education is the key. So why is there is an abundance of rhetoric and posturing towards being innovative but not a lot of bold and ground-breaking decisions being taken to actually be?
If innovation is how we implement new ideas to create new value where is the hunger? I mostly agree with a statement on that website. I have however made subtle changes to reflect my view.
We do have some of the ingredients for innovation success: a strong research community, entrepreneurial businesses, significant creative communities, generally effective government, high levels of education and an ability to collaborate, supported by mostly dependable infrastructure and existing links to national and global markets.
Back to Industrial Hemp in the #innovation space – Every State and Territory, with the exception of SA and the NT are progressing with the commercialisation of Industrial Hemp.
The Industrial Hemp Association of SA (IHASA) believes it is time for our State to seriously consider the advances in the industry and the potential for farmers to include this valuable commodity into their broad acre cropping regimes.
I was part of the Cannabis Council of SA delegation who, at the invitation of Tammy Franks MLC and Kelly Vincent MLC, addressed a multi-partisan gathering of our State’s MP’s. That was almost 15 months ago. It is true that the wheels of Government turn slowly but to all but stall on this important matter and of Medical Cannabis is tantamount to burying one’s head in the sand.
I invite you to read the briefing notes from the important session just follow this link http://www.dianahmieglich.com.au/about/medical-cannabis
The paper specifically relating to Industrial Hemp can be found here: http://www.dianahmieglich.com.au/images/DMTeresaMcDowellBriefingPaperFINAL070914.pdf
So if innovation is ‘the long-term solution for developed economies seeking sustained economic prosperity and improved quality of life’…let’s get on with the job of delivering economic prosperity and improved quality of life.
By embracing the many benefits Industrial Hemp and Medical Cannabis the potential is limitless.
Let's innovate.
We are not a pharmaceutical company, nor are we clinicians or doctors. We are however, committed to cultivating and creating safe and reliable supplies of medicinal cannabis and its derivatives for those so qualified. Our aim is to be the Australian producer of choice of the highest quality raw cannabis and purest derivatives for manufacturers of health and wellness products and pharmaceutical agents for Cannabis Reform Australia
Great read Dianah,
Many of us are conflicted. Throughout my working life I have mainly existed in the space that requires innovation.. I get presented with a suite of problems, principally physical ones, that need an innovative solution. And despite all of the innovative ideas I have developed and applied, so many of them have been crushed due to corruption and jealousy (other people not wanting me to have that success or the stealing of that successful idea).
I started many innovative ideas in material recycling, one standout which had a lot of interest by all states (SA, Vic, NSW, Qld) whereby I set up a process to divert thousands of tonnes of material out of landfills.. only to find the National party was a very large recipient of 'donations' from a waste 'management' company who obviously made more profit by keeping the materials that, I could recycle, for themselves to bury in privately owned landfills.. So, how do we deal with this.? The job-creation that flowed, for each state, from my innovation has now been destroyed which is a larger crime than the metal (Iron, Copper, Aluminium, Nickel, Silver) resource that is sent to landfill to be lost forever.
Innovation will never be extinguished, or the human form would have long ago become extinct.. but political corruption is the largest hand-brake to innovation we have ever had.
Medical cannabis is nearly the most classic case-in-point.. a material with so many bountiful and time proven uses. What was the reason we were not allowed to use it again.. I nearly forget?
I think #corruption might be the reason.