DR. JENNIFER RYCENGA

PROFESSOR, HUMANITIES AND COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS STUDIES, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY

Today's Date: July 31, 2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

As a young child I was always attracted to water - Lake Michigan when very young, and swimming in Long Island Sound off Connecticut as a school-aged child. Being immersed (literally) in an environment other than my terrestrial one gave me a sense of difference, and an intuition of other ways of being/thinking.

The other very meaningful interaction with an animal happened with the cat and dog my family had as I grew up. The cat -- a very proud Siamese -- had been insulted when we got a dog (a very smart black miniature poodle). But when the Siamese started to fail, the dog protected him. Watching the cat's life ebb, and the changing relationship between the cat and the dog during that process, taught me much about life and death. I was 14 at the time.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

I've always cultivated favorite places, as a child and as an adult. I think my favorite place, though, was far enough out on Long Island Sound to sense total separation from land, and to be surrounded by the saltiness of the sea.

Now? I've developed a key relationship with Gazos Creek Road, about 25 miles south of my home, where I do a regular bird survey. The place, and even individual birds, now feel like friends to me.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

I have so many favorites, it is hard to pick one. I would say that among the non-domesticated mammals, my favorite is the Harbor Seal. I love their curiosity, their soulful eyes, and their marbled fur. The pinnipeds as a group are an especial favorite. Among birds, I love the fluttering types - Nighthawks and Swifts. My favorite birds are Lesser Nighthawk, Black Tern, Black Swift, Pinyon Jay, Common Poorwill. I also have a fond spot for the homely Upland Sandpiper.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Loss of species diversity because of habitat destruction. In the future, global warming will become more apparent in its impact.

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Love nature, know it intimately. You will then be less likely to hurt it, or strain its resources through wanton increase in human population and human demands.

Christopher Corbin

Programme Officer, United Nations Environment Programme, Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit

Today's Date: 31st July,2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Growing up on small island meant that nature was all around me, whether it were the rainforests and rivers or the beaches and sea. Any free time was almost always spent in the outdoors. So the biggest impact on me was my first vacation in North America with apartment complexes, driving along freeways in enclosed air conditioned cars and instead of a skyline dotted with mountains, forests and sea, one dotted with buildings and skyscrapers. And perhaps most of all, the lack of stars during the night. It made me realize what we in the less developed world sometimes took for granted and needed to treasure and protect.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

It would have to be the beach, just sitting on the rocks and listening to the sound of the waves against the shore. No hotels, no tourists just a sense of calm and peace.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

Black Panther or any member of the Cat Family. Grace in movement, Skill and Cunning in Hunting, and complete independence.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Actually it's poverty. While we may talk about climate change, lack of drinking water, polluted rivers and dying reefs, it's about giving people the power to make more informed choices concerning the use of the natural resources and providing them with environmentally sustainable alternatives. Unless we break the cycle of poverty and dependence, we will forever be trying to fix gaping wounds of environmental degradation with superficial plasters and forever dealing with symptoms rather than the root causes of the problems we face.

In the future, we will need to continue to battle an increasing lifestyle of materialism and consumerism. To quote an old Indian Proverb to live more simply so that others can simply live.

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

That every single positive action, no matter how small and how seemingly insignificant does count. We often think the solutions to many of the environmental problems are bigger than every one of us individually. But all of us doing their little bit can in fact move mountains.

Avi K Sabavala

Management Consultant, India

Today's Date: 31-7-06

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

regularly do birdwatching & has helped me to enjoy nature in its pristine form

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

any place in the countryside was great

Now? same as above

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

dogs. I have excellent relations with them!

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, ignorance followed by creating inorganic waste and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future? politicization of environmental issues

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

recycle, reuse