I’m revising a book I first started writing almost 2 years ago. It’s nice revisiting the world, the characters. It’s nice knowing that I’m a better writer now than I was then, but that I wasn’t a terrible writer to start with. It’s a good book. My edits are making it better—or that’s the idea, anyway.

I reread Andreas Malm’s How To Blow Up a Pipeline in preparation for these revisions. At the top of my revision document is the quote: “Hope is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency”. Originally from Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark, Malm uses the quote in his chapter titled ‘Fighting Despair’, in which he argues against climate defeatism, and in favour of maintaining hope—if only because it is better than simply giving up. If only because it is good to affirm the value of life.

Last month was the UK’s sunniest March on record, 6th driest and 4th hottest in temperature. A few weeks ago, a sign at the bus stop told me London was under a high air pollution alert. Just Stop Oil are ending their campaign, after the government adopts their demand to end new gas and oil licenses, but Youth Demand will continue their actions for the forseeable. My disability is triggered by the heat, and my hay-fever is flaring unusually strong for this time of year. At the same time, I am enjoying sitting in my garden, writing in the sunshine.

Hope is an axe. Hope is also the door. I’m not deluding myself about the impact of a book that might not even be published, but even writing it feels good. Climate doomerism often goes alongside a lack of imagination. I am stretching mine, and enjoying the sun whilst I do so. If you see me, offer an antihistamine, and help me imagine a hundred new worlds.

Reading: The Folk of the Air by Holly Black

Watching: Greys Anatomy season 13

Listening to: Good at Falling by The Japanese House

Eating: the more interesting shapes of pasta