About Me
Thanks for stopping by! I’m Luke. I’m a human ecologist (graduate and member of the Centre for Human Ecology), musician, and writer with a background in community development, project management and crisis response.
I’m founder of a social enterprise supported by Scotland UnLtd and the Millennium Awards Trust launching later in 2011 promoting equal access to renewable industry for young people from areas of multiple deprivation.
I tend to find that truth resides at the margin or the outside of power. For that reason I’m passionate about communities that embrace radical interdependence with those often deemed surplus to the domination system. My background is in community development and project management. I helped to lead the Glasgow Emmaus Community from 2007-2009 and was responsible for developing the project to establish the Glasgow L’Arche Community from 2009-10. I also served on L’Arche UK’s Pastoral and Ecumenical Committee.
I’m interested in urban land reform, ecopsychology (initiation and liminal space), mahāmudrā in the bKa’-brgyud-pa tradition, geopoetics, masculinities and masculine spiritualities, integral theory, action research and climate change.
I’m currently completing a master’s degree in Buddhist Studies having completed a master’s in Human Ecology in 2010.
Music that is personal, powerful and meaningful is important to me. I’ve been in a number of bands, most notably Snowblood, who released three albums and toured in various places. Since we broke up I’ve worked on other solo and collaborative projects although these have mostly been kept under wraps so far.
Fiat lux!
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Ban the burn – HAVE YOU SIGNED YET?
Communities all over Scotland are backing a new petition to the Scottish Parliament, calling for a ban on waste incineration and large-scale biomass burning. People fear that proposals for 16 new incinerators, burning up to 2 million tonnes of waste each year, will pollute the environment, undermine recycling, add to global warming and destroy resources.
Incinerators emit dozens of harmful chemicals. For example dioxins can disrupt the sexual and mental development of infants and cause cancer. In 2008 the Dundee incinerator was caught emitting 102 times the legal limit for dioxins. Instead of burning our waste, the Petition calls for serious investment in recycling (the Government is currently spending sweety money on this).
Additionally, there are proposals for 5 very large biomass-powered generators. These would burn around 5 million tonnes of fuel annually, consisting mostly of imported virgin timber. As with waste incineration, this will produce large quantities of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. It will take at least 50 years for replacement trees to re-absorb the carbon emitted by these generators.
Altogether the proposed waste incinerators and biomass burners would emit up to 11 million tonnes of CO2 each year, adding greatly to climate change.
For futher information, including how to sign the petition, click here – http://www.gainscotland.org.uk/petition.shtml
N.B. Signatures on the Scottish Government’s e-petition website must be registered by 20 December.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL – WE ARE SURE YOUR FRIENDS WILL WANT TO SIGN THIS IMPORTANT PETITION.
Many thanks for your support !!!!
Michael, Green Alternatives to Incineration in Scotland