U. S. Geological Survey
http://www.davemech.org
Today's Date: 8/3/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
HARD TO SAY; I’VE HAD SO MANY.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
Now? ELLESMERE ISLAND
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
WOLF BECAUSE OF THE LIFE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
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?
FOR BOTH: SAVING ENOUGH NATURAL LAND
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
WORK TO SAVE AS MUCH WILD LAND AS POSSIBLE
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
August 03, 2006
August 02, 2006
Clyde Jackman
Minister, Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Today’s Date: July 27, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Ever since I was a child I have had an interest in both the sea and inland waters. In the sea I find majesty where you must develop a sense of respect for both the serenity and severity of what it provides. In inland waters, whether it be a day trouting, a morning salmon fishing or a canoe trip, it is relaxing and connects you to nature. So whether it is a day with fisherman hauling their nets, or casting a fishing rod on a beautiful, early morning in July, both of these types of experiences have impacted my life in a positive manner.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not one place in particular. But, the swimming area near our community was always a favorite place. Climbing amongst the rocks and cliffs in and around the community brought fantasy and fun and games. At a very young age, going cod jigging just offshore from my community allowed you to see whales and tuna and a variety of birds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The whale is my favorite animal. To see it swim and dive as it glides slowly through the water is almost soothing. Then to see a creature the size of a humpback rise out of the water, then turn on its side and strike the water sending it in every direction makes you realize how majestic these creatures are.
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?
The greatest environmental change facing us now is climate change. As our climate changes so will so much of our habitat and the impact it has on us as human beings and the ecosystems around us. This will continue to present us with the greatest challenge.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources what would it be?
The key to a sustainable society is balance. While we recognize that we need the economics we must never forget that we must protect and ensure we always have our natural endowments. We are connected to the sea, land and air and we must always be mindful of this.
Today’s Date: July 27, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Ever since I was a child I have had an interest in both the sea and inland waters. In the sea I find majesty where you must develop a sense of respect for both the serenity and severity of what it provides. In inland waters, whether it be a day trouting, a morning salmon fishing or a canoe trip, it is relaxing and connects you to nature. So whether it is a day with fisherman hauling their nets, or casting a fishing rod on a beautiful, early morning in July, both of these types of experiences have impacted my life in a positive manner.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not one place in particular. But, the swimming area near our community was always a favorite place. Climbing amongst the rocks and cliffs in and around the community brought fantasy and fun and games. At a very young age, going cod jigging just offshore from my community allowed you to see whales and tuna and a variety of birds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The whale is my favorite animal. To see it swim and dive as it glides slowly through the water is almost soothing. Then to see a creature the size of a humpback rise out of the water, then turn on its side and strike the water sending it in every direction makes you realize how majestic these creatures are.
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?
The greatest environmental change facing us now is climate change. As our climate changes so will so much of our habitat and the impact it has on us as human beings and the ecosystems around us. This will continue to present us with the greatest challenge.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources what would it be?
The key to a sustainable society is balance. While we recognize that we need the economics we must never forget that we must protect and ensure we always have our natural endowments. We are connected to the sea, land and air and we must always be mindful of this.
Eviatar Nevo
Professor of Evolutionary Biology; Director- Institute of Evolution and the International Graduate Center of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel
Today’s Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Many interactions including: Studying blind subterranean mammals, Spalax; Studying wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides; Studying the microscale model of "Evolution Canyon". You can get information on all the above in our website http://evolution.haifa.ac.il
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Nature outings
Now? "Evolution Canyon" as a microscale model of life from bacteria to mammals
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Blind subterranean mole rats, Spalax. After studying them more than 50 years they opened my eyes as to evolution in action including adaptation and speciation. They are the best studied wild mammals (interdisciplinarily): +300 papers and two books. Now they become very important to human gene therapy.
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?
The greatest challenge is still the ongoing population explosion and the destruction of the environment and biodiversity. Then come the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
SAFEGUARD ALL NATURAL HABITATS FROM DESTRUCTION
Today’s Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Many interactions including: Studying blind subterranean mammals, Spalax; Studying wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides; Studying the microscale model of "Evolution Canyon". You can get information on all the above in our website http://evolution.haifa.ac.il
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Nature outings
Now? "Evolution Canyon" as a microscale model of life from bacteria to mammals
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Blind subterranean mole rats, Spalax. After studying them more than 50 years they opened my eyes as to evolution in action including adaptation and speciation. They are the best studied wild mammals (interdisciplinarily): +300 papers and two books. Now they become very important to human gene therapy.
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?
The greatest challenge is still the ongoing population explosion and the destruction of the environment and biodiversity. Then come the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
SAFEGUARD ALL NATURAL HABITATS FROM DESTRUCTION
Kevin Parker
Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
Today's Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
By paying attention to ones surroundings it is possible to have beautiful interactions with nature and animals on a daily basis, no matter the habitat you find yourself in - we are not separate from nature and animals, we just frequently treat them with complete disregard and ignorance
2. Did you have a favourite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Now? Yes on both counts
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favourite animal is, and why?
Lots of favourites, but fernbird, a species I have researched, are probably my favourite as I have spent a lot of time with them, and they have loads of character
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?
People learning to use the mush between their ears for something other than their own selfish needs and wants
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
As the great Jim Harrison says, everybody could vastly improve the quality of their lives simply by paying more attention, I would add to this-attention to themselves, the other people around them, plants, animals, fungi, mould, etc , and attention to the ground beneath their feet and the sky above the heads.
Today's Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
By paying attention to ones surroundings it is possible to have beautiful interactions with nature and animals on a daily basis, no matter the habitat you find yourself in - we are not separate from nature and animals, we just frequently treat them with complete disregard and ignorance
2. Did you have a favourite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Now? Yes on both counts
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favourite animal is, and why?
Lots of favourites, but fernbird, a species I have researched, are probably my favourite as I have spent a lot of time with them, and they have loads of character
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?
People learning to use the mush between their ears for something other than their own selfish needs and wants
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
As the great Jim Harrison says, everybody could vastly improve the quality of their lives simply by paying more attention, I would add to this-attention to themselves, the other people around them, plants, animals, fungi, mould, etc , and attention to the ground beneath their feet and the sky above the heads.
August 01, 2006
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.
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.
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
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
July 30, 2006
Dr. David M Watson
Senior Lecturer, Ecology and Ornithology, Institute for Land Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia
Today's Date: 31 July 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Spending time pottering around rocky shores and rock pools on Summer holidays
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes—lush cool sclerophyll forest near Melbourne with tree ferns, waterfalls and lyrebirds
Now? Many—a real favourite is the unbroken miles of stony downs country in the northernm Strezlecki desert where I conduct fieldwork
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Too many choices, but a firm favourite is the long-nose coatimundi—they’re amazing. Social, busy, inquisitive and very personable
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?
Current challenge = global warming—it’s going to take concerted efforts from all, and I can’t see that happening any time soon when, like all organisms, our actions are necessarily self-serving and short-sighted. Longer term, the greatest challenge will be conceiving of this planet supporting life that doesn’t include humans. This is something most policy makers cannot grasp, and is critical to all long-term planning
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
That we are animals, dancing to the same drum as all other animals—and we should treat our fellow organisms approporiately
Today's Date: 31 July 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Spending time pottering around rocky shores and rock pools on Summer holidays
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes—lush cool sclerophyll forest near Melbourne with tree ferns, waterfalls and lyrebirds
Now? Many—a real favourite is the unbroken miles of stony downs country in the northernm Strezlecki desert where I conduct fieldwork
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Too many choices, but a firm favourite is the long-nose coatimundi—they’re amazing. Social, busy, inquisitive and very personable
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?
Current challenge = global warming—it’s going to take concerted efforts from all, and I can’t see that happening any time soon when, like all organisms, our actions are necessarily self-serving and short-sighted. Longer term, the greatest challenge will be conceiving of this planet supporting life that doesn’t include humans. This is something most policy makers cannot grasp, and is critical to all long-term planning
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
That we are animals, dancing to the same drum as all other animals—and we should treat our fellow organisms approporiately
July 29, 2006
Yat-tung Yu
Coordinator, Waterbird Count Monitoring Programme and International Black-faced Spoonbill Census, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society
Today's Date: 30 July 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Touching the animal - I am also a bird ringer and I still remembered the first bird I have ringed and then released. It just like to have some kind of interaction with the bird.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
window of my home, because I just watch birds from it and I could not go to countryside very often in my childhood.
Now? Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong - my working place. I am also living nearby and I can go there very easily even when not working.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Bird, because I am a birdwatcher, also as mentioned, I am also a bird ringer.
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?
I think the greatest challenge is our life style, especially to the ones living in developed countries. We just consume too much resources and seem not in a sustainable way. The greatest challenge in future will be the depletion of natural resource, especially the freshwater.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
To change our current life style. Do it in a very simple way and I hope that could save somewhat more to our natural resources.
Today's Date: 30 July 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Touching the animal - I am also a bird ringer and I still remembered the first bird I have ringed and then released. It just like to have some kind of interaction with the bird.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
window of my home, because I just watch birds from it and I could not go to countryside very often in my childhood.
Now? Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong - my working place. I am also living nearby and I can go there very easily even when not working.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Bird, because I am a birdwatcher, also as mentioned, I am also a bird ringer.
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?
I think the greatest challenge is our life style, especially to the ones living in developed countries. We just consume too much resources and seem not in a sustainable way. The greatest challenge in future will be the depletion of natural resource, especially the freshwater.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
To change our current life style. Do it in a very simple way and I hope that could save somewhat more to our natural resources.
Valeria Ojeda
Ph.D., Universidad Nacional del Comahue & Argentine National Research Council
Today's Date: 29/07/2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I cannot identify any such particular interaction, I’ve observed and thought about nature in a special way since I was a little child…feeling myself like a natural creature. I especially remember the forests around houses my family rented for vacation in Patagonia when I was a child, and maybe feeling “lost” in those forests while playing with other kids may have been the most exciting experience I had with nature; I still love to feel that way.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, in summer I visited both the Atlantic Sea cost (either Uruguay or Argentina) and the Patagonian Andes. I definitely preferred the mountains.
Now? The same choice, this is my place on Earth.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I asked myself that question many times… I don’t have one.
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?
Both now and for the future: understand (individually) that we can live with much much less (materially) than we feel we need today… unsustainability of our behavior as individuals is so obvious for many of us, but so subtle to most humans… Also try to see the short lifespan of the current system most humans are relying on (big/small countries, rich/poor countries, dominant/dominated countries)… these differences are maintaining the unsustainable global system we are in today… it will need to be changed if we are to survive.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I’m not good at this…
Advice 1: From time to time, try to feel more like a wild animal than like an intellectual human being... things look very different.
Advice 2: Restricted to women: you have the power to change the world VERY quickly! Stop having kids who no one cares about, concentrate in educating (not just feeding and keeping warm) just one or a few ones.
Today's Date: 29/07/2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I cannot identify any such particular interaction, I’ve observed and thought about nature in a special way since I was a little child…feeling myself like a natural creature. I especially remember the forests around houses my family rented for vacation in Patagonia when I was a child, and maybe feeling “lost” in those forests while playing with other kids may have been the most exciting experience I had with nature; I still love to feel that way.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, in summer I visited both the Atlantic Sea cost (either Uruguay or Argentina) and the Patagonian Andes. I definitely preferred the mountains.
Now? The same choice, this is my place on Earth.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I asked myself that question many times… I don’t have one.
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?
Both now and for the future: understand (individually) that we can live with much much less (materially) than we feel we need today… unsustainability of our behavior as individuals is so obvious for many of us, but so subtle to most humans… Also try to see the short lifespan of the current system most humans are relying on (big/small countries, rich/poor countries, dominant/dominated countries)… these differences are maintaining the unsustainable global system we are in today… it will need to be changed if we are to survive.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I’m not good at this…
Advice 1: From time to time, try to feel more like a wild animal than like an intellectual human being... things look very different.
Advice 2: Restricted to women: you have the power to change the world VERY quickly! Stop having kids who no one cares about, concentrate in educating (not just feeding and keeping warm) just one or a few ones.
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