Ian Campbell

Private citizen

Today’s Date: 15 August 2008

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

It is difficult to say what interaction with an animal or nature has had the biggest impact on me in my life.

In my early 20s I helped my older brother on his farm dipping the sheep. This involved driving the sheep into a pool containing chemicals. I think this solution was to kill parasites on the sheep. Something like that anyway. Spillage from the pool unfortunately emptied into a small stream. A couple of days after the sheep were dipped I noticed many dead gilgies in the stream (Gilgies are a small fresh water crustacean found in streams in Western Australia).

It was obvious that the chemicals from the sheep dipping had killed the gilgies downstream. Although gilgies are not cute and cuddly I was much saddened by their deaths. I realised the harm that man could do to the natural environment in his pursuit of making a living.

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

No

Now? No

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

None

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?

Our greatest environmental challenge is to restrain our greed for more and more energy use and to live more balanced lives in tune with nature. Human industry should be more sustainable and less exploitative.

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

The capitalist system is based on forever expanding economies, marketing new products that are not needed etc. All this threatens the natural environment. We should learn to live with less, to walk gently on the earth. We should be less motivated by making profit.

I live in Melbourne, Australia which has a mild, temperate climate. In winter we have no snow and ice. In summer it gets hot for a few days. In winter people complain about the cold, but it isn't really cold like in Canada or Russia. 95% of the people have heating in their houses, but it isn't really necessary. I don't have any heating, I just wear more clothing to keep warm. In summer it gets hot, so be it. I wear less clothing but I don't need air conditioning. I contribute very little towards global warming because of my low energy usage. I don't own a car. I use public transport or walk.

There is no hardship involved. It is my choice. If I can choose a low energy lifestyle then surely other people can also.