Environment Tobago
Today's Date: 23/01/2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Last October I visited Yosemite Park in the US, I stood before the grand rock structures and was so amazed at its beauty. Driving through the area revealed ponds and streams and snow-capped mountains of immense beauty, too perfect to be real.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes.
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favourite animals are birds. I love their gift of flight and the freedom that is associated with that ability.
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 challenge is, unfortunately, humans’ indiscriminate behaviour and irreverence for nature. If we understand that we are really stewards of the environment and change our attitudes to protect and live in harmony with our natural surroundings, we are in fact, creating a future for ourselves and our children. Failure to do this will of course mean that the greatest challenge to be faced in the future would be one of trying to sustain life on bare necessities with reduced land space, overpopulation and intense poverty to name a few.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
That our environment sustains our life. If we mismanage it, we are by extension, toying with our lives and others in generations to come.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
January 23, 2007
January 17, 2007
Godfrey Baldacchino
University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Today's Date: January 17, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have never had pets, but I enjoy gardening.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes – a clump of olive trees which represented my space in the great outdoors
Now? – My garden
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have no favourite animals as such.
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?
Living sustainably
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Respect trees.
Today's Date: January 17, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have never had pets, but I enjoy gardening.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes – a clump of olive trees which represented my space in the great outdoors
Now? – My garden
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have no favourite animals as such.
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?
Living sustainably
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Respect trees.
Aimee Ingram (aka Rainbow Wolfstar)
private citizen (Australia)
Today's Date: 17.1.07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Ever since I could remember..... when my feet touch the ground I was home, when I lay on the grass it was love and when I breathed in the air I was free.... I lived in the bush all my life till I was 18. I was always going walkabout on my dad’s property..... gone for at least hours but sometimes longer.... I was able to track certain animals and I have had so many brushes with animals and nature that I can’t name anything specific.... but one thing that I was always taught by my family is take no more than you will use, and if you're not prepared to kill it then don’t eat it..... I was always there when my dad slaughtered the sheep for tea and the worst part was the throat cut.... still makes my skin crawl.... but from a very early age I learnt to respect all things living and I am now so grateful for being there when he slaughtered those animals because now I understand the value of life to give life.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The clearing at the top of the hill at the back paddock, on my dad’s property or sitting by the river somewhere having a fish.
Now? Still the same.... but unfortunately don’t get there much anymore so I have to settle for out in the garden under the nectarine tree.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Probably the wombat.... it is a very fascinating creature to sit and watch.... fun to track too.....
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?
Climate change and the shortage of water..... that's for both now and future! Everyday in everyway... use less water!!!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Don’t waste what you have... one day it might not be there!!! and like my family taught me....Don’t take more than you will use and if you're not prepared to kill it- don’t eat it!!!!
Today's Date: 17.1.07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Ever since I could remember..... when my feet touch the ground I was home, when I lay on the grass it was love and when I breathed in the air I was free.... I lived in the bush all my life till I was 18. I was always going walkabout on my dad’s property..... gone for at least hours but sometimes longer.... I was able to track certain animals and I have had so many brushes with animals and nature that I can’t name anything specific.... but one thing that I was always taught by my family is take no more than you will use, and if you're not prepared to kill it then don’t eat it..... I was always there when my dad slaughtered the sheep for tea and the worst part was the throat cut.... still makes my skin crawl.... but from a very early age I learnt to respect all things living and I am now so grateful for being there when he slaughtered those animals because now I understand the value of life to give life.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The clearing at the top of the hill at the back paddock, on my dad’s property or sitting by the river somewhere having a fish.
Now? Still the same.... but unfortunately don’t get there much anymore so I have to settle for out in the garden under the nectarine tree.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Probably the wombat.... it is a very fascinating creature to sit and watch.... fun to track too.....
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?
Climate change and the shortage of water..... that's for both now and future! Everyday in everyway... use less water!!!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Don’t waste what you have... one day it might not be there!!! and like my family taught me....Don’t take more than you will use and if you're not prepared to kill it- don’t eat it!!!!
January 16, 2007
Mr. Jan Hearthstone
Facilitator - ModelEarth.Org
Today's Date: 2007.01.16
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Too many to really remember a single significant instance--animals tend to be persons to me, many times being, somehow, better "people" than the real article, perhaps for being more honest? When there is a good communicational space, and the animals let me in, as if, - into their life sphere, I am always surprised to see complex social interactions.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Plenty!
A good place is that I can "grow" with, not always possible, the modern life tends to make it impossible by trying to control every aspect of existence, quite often.
Favorite trees, glades, brooksides, ...
Now? I am still a kid, no matter how deformed by the society-- the above happens still, albeit less and less often.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
A "favorite" animal is one that lets me communicate with it-- I met a lot of those.
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 challenge is growing exponentially--a space in which this positive feedback madness can play itself out has to be found.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I think that to recognize and to defend the natural right to sleep of any- everyone would change the society fundamentally for better - just start thinking what would start being different, if this happened. A right to a fundamental home would mean more relaxed people. Having more relaxed people would lead to fewer mistakes being made (inclusive of mishandling most everything) ... I got a few articles on the subject at: http://www.modelearth.org/artics.html, if you got the while.
Today's Date: 2007.01.16
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Too many to really remember a single significant instance--animals tend to be persons to me, many times being, somehow, better "people" than the real article, perhaps for being more honest? When there is a good communicational space, and the animals let me in, as if, - into their life sphere, I am always surprised to see complex social interactions.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Plenty!
A good place is that I can "grow" with, not always possible, the modern life tends to make it impossible by trying to control every aspect of existence, quite often.
Favorite trees, glades, brooksides, ...
Now? I am still a kid, no matter how deformed by the society-- the above happens still, albeit less and less often.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
A "favorite" animal is one that lets me communicate with it-- I met a lot of those.
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 challenge is growing exponentially--a space in which this positive feedback madness can play itself out has to be found.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I think that to recognize and to defend the natural right to sleep of any- everyone would change the society fundamentally for better - just start thinking what would start being different, if this happened. A right to a fundamental home would mean more relaxed people. Having more relaxed people would lead to fewer mistakes being made (inclusive of mishandling most everything) ... I got a few articles on the subject at: http://www.modelearth.org/artics.html, if you got the while.
Tom Schum
non-affiliated (electronics technician)
Today's Date: Jan 14, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I recall walking in Oakland in 1976, no job, no idea what would come next. Then I saw a chicken yard. I watched about 100 chickens for at least an hour, completely fascinated.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My brothers and I used to go to Mount San Luis in San Luis Obispo, CA (I grew up there). Later, I went on my own a number of times, and ate a lemon or two from a lemon grove at the highest foothill clearing.
Now? I like to get out on my bicycle and just go anywhere nearby.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have always liked monkeys, but I think my favorite animal is the regular kitty cat (one of the few "companion animals" of humans).
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 global warming is the greatest environmental challenge. I think repairing it will be the greatest challenge of the future. We could repair it now, but so few people have died from global warming that nobody is really interested in doing any repairs. The situation will become far more dire, then people and nations will think more about fixing it.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Live gently.
Today's Date: Jan 14, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I recall walking in Oakland in 1976, no job, no idea what would come next. Then I saw a chicken yard. I watched about 100 chickens for at least an hour, completely fascinated.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My brothers and I used to go to Mount San Luis in San Luis Obispo, CA (I grew up there). Later, I went on my own a number of times, and ate a lemon or two from a lemon grove at the highest foothill clearing.
Now? I like to get out on my bicycle and just go anywhere nearby.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have always liked monkeys, but I think my favorite animal is the regular kitty cat (one of the few "companion animals" of humans).
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 global warming is the greatest environmental challenge. I think repairing it will be the greatest challenge of the future. We could repair it now, but so few people have died from global warming that nobody is really interested in doing any repairs. The situation will become far more dire, then people and nations will think more about fixing it.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Live gently.
January 14, 2007
Narena Olliver
New Zealand Birds (http://nzbirds.com)
Today's Date: January 15, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
birding
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Paramata Harbour, New Zealand
Now? Ohiwa Harbour, New Zealand
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Kokako for its wonderful song
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?
Climate change - now and in the future
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Stop breeding.
Today's Date: January 15, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
birding
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Paramata Harbour, New Zealand
Now? Ohiwa Harbour, New Zealand
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Kokako for its wonderful song
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?
Climate change - now and in the future
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Stop breeding.
Alison Sheehey
Nature Alley (http://natureali.org/)
Today's Date: 1/13/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A Heermann's Kangaroo rat had been brought to me by a neighbor whose cat had injured it. As I am apt to do when caretaking animals, I left her alone for the most part and only addressed her immediate wounds and fed her. I had absolutely no experience with Kangaroo rats and did not realize that they are adapted to a desert environment and do not need supplemental water. I tried to give the animal mostly fresh greens from outside and did not realize by giving the animal so much moist material that it would have a problem. The rat was in its cage (a 5-gallon water bottle filled with soil) and began to stare at me intently. I went over and picked it up and it conveyed to me that it was desperate to be let down. I let it down on the floor at which point it peed profusely. I then picked it back up and it shuddered and conveyed a thank you to me. (No, it did not talk but I felt a really strong emotional response). Later I learned that Kangaroo Rats cleave oxygen and hydrogen atoms off of complex carbohydrates and create what is called metabolic water. Seventy percent of their bodily fluid is created this way, the other 30% comes from moist food and occasional sips of water. So, what I had done to this poor animal was overhydrated it and being a fastidious creature it would not soil its home. It needed to urinate away from its cage and when I picked it up and somehow we communicated on a very basic yet spiritual level. It made me realize that although humans are the most evolutionarily developed species we are so poor at understanding the connection between all life (heck our species can't even get along with others of different colors of our species let alone different species).
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The woods across the street from my home. It was our secret place to explore, play, skate, and otherwise just have fun being alive.
Now? Anyplace on this earth that is open, free and natural. The U.S. National Park system where no hunters or off-roaders are allowed to destroy the silence are some of my favorite places. I actually strongly dislike anything city-fied as it reminds me of how disconnected we are.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
That is like asking who your favorite child is... there is no one answer. Every animal has its strengths and weaknesses but as a whole they are all unique in their spirit (not just species but individuals). I respect the life within everything. My favorite groups of animals are the fluffy and feathery for the most part, but even insects provide countless hours of joy in studying how they are put together and how they behave.
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?
Human overpopulation.... Human overpopulation.... Human overpopulation.... Global climate change.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Two is company 6.5 billion is a crowd, spay or neuter yourself and the one's you love today. If everyone continues to believe that destroying life of our fellow humans through famine, thirst, and war is more humane than just using our brains and conquering our overwhelming need to procreate, then we are not the superior species we think we are. If on the other hand we start taking family planning seriously, then heaven on earth is a real possibility. One child per couple per lifetime until the population drops down to sustainable levels will allow us to fix all of the environmental problems we have and will continue to create, if not then we will go the way of the dinosaurs and what a waste that will be!
Today's Date: 1/13/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A Heermann's Kangaroo rat had been brought to me by a neighbor whose cat had injured it. As I am apt to do when caretaking animals, I left her alone for the most part and only addressed her immediate wounds and fed her. I had absolutely no experience with Kangaroo rats and did not realize that they are adapted to a desert environment and do not need supplemental water. I tried to give the animal mostly fresh greens from outside and did not realize by giving the animal so much moist material that it would have a problem. The rat was in its cage (a 5-gallon water bottle filled with soil) and began to stare at me intently. I went over and picked it up and it conveyed to me that it was desperate to be let down. I let it down on the floor at which point it peed profusely. I then picked it back up and it shuddered and conveyed a thank you to me. (No, it did not talk but I felt a really strong emotional response). Later I learned that Kangaroo Rats cleave oxygen and hydrogen atoms off of complex carbohydrates and create what is called metabolic water. Seventy percent of their bodily fluid is created this way, the other 30% comes from moist food and occasional sips of water. So, what I had done to this poor animal was overhydrated it and being a fastidious creature it would not soil its home. It needed to urinate away from its cage and when I picked it up and somehow we communicated on a very basic yet spiritual level. It made me realize that although humans are the most evolutionarily developed species we are so poor at understanding the connection between all life (heck our species can't even get along with others of different colors of our species let alone different species).
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The woods across the street from my home. It was our secret place to explore, play, skate, and otherwise just have fun being alive.
Now? Anyplace on this earth that is open, free and natural. The U.S. National Park system where no hunters or off-roaders are allowed to destroy the silence are some of my favorite places. I actually strongly dislike anything city-fied as it reminds me of how disconnected we are.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
That is like asking who your favorite child is... there is no one answer. Every animal has its strengths and weaknesses but as a whole they are all unique in their spirit (not just species but individuals). I respect the life within everything. My favorite groups of animals are the fluffy and feathery for the most part, but even insects provide countless hours of joy in studying how they are put together and how they behave.
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?
Human overpopulation.... Human overpopulation.... Human overpopulation.... Global climate change.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Two is company 6.5 billion is a crowd, spay or neuter yourself and the one's you love today. If everyone continues to believe that destroying life of our fellow humans through famine, thirst, and war is more humane than just using our brains and conquering our overwhelming need to procreate, then we are not the superior species we think we are. If on the other hand we start taking family planning seriously, then heaven on earth is a real possibility. One child per couple per lifetime until the population drops down to sustainable levels will allow us to fix all of the environmental problems we have and will continue to create, if not then we will go the way of the dinosaurs and what a waste that will be!
January 13, 2007
Michiyo Fujimoto
Japan Environmental Exchange
Today's Date: Jan 13 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Food
Everything we eat is lives, so I want to thank every time I eat. But it's so easy to forget!
Woods and a river near my neighborhood - Less and less, no more fish :-( sad
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Hiking up the neighbor mountains, play around near rice fields and a river
Now? Try to hike, but not much time, so at least walking along the river, see mountains, touch the soil while planting some flowers or so
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cats; they look like living very free from anything. following what they want to do in a day. same as all other animals, though. so I like looking at animals. and kids also!
Horses; beautiful
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?
To make a balance with nature; we human beings had taken too much from the mother nature. we are not only living creature on the earth. I think that's why to make a balance to balance the unbalanced reality, the earth is sick. The greatest challenge now is that more should realize the reality that the earth is sick and if this situation continues we can't live. And at the same time and the future we should know really we are a part of nature and living together already. If we know that then we each know what to do for the future.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do what you can do now. Live your life with joy! Do what your heart feels fun!
Today's Date: Jan 13 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Food
Everything we eat is lives, so I want to thank every time I eat. But it's so easy to forget!
Woods and a river near my neighborhood - Less and less, no more fish :-( sad
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Hiking up the neighbor mountains, play around near rice fields and a river
Now? Try to hike, but not much time, so at least walking along the river, see mountains, touch the soil while planting some flowers or so
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cats; they look like living very free from anything. following what they want to do in a day. same as all other animals, though. so I like looking at animals. and kids also!
Horses; beautiful
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?
To make a balance with nature; we human beings had taken too much from the mother nature. we are not only living creature on the earth. I think that's why to make a balance to balance the unbalanced reality, the earth is sick. The greatest challenge now is that more should realize the reality that the earth is sick and if this situation continues we can't live. And at the same time and the future we should know really we are a part of nature and living together already. If we know that then we each know what to do for the future.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do what you can do now. Live your life with joy! Do what your heart feels fun!
January 12, 2007
Anonymous
2006-7 Fulbright Scholar, Philippines, affiliated with the University of San Carlos in Cebu City
Today’s Date: 13 January 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I find this question difficult to answer because it implies a dichotomy between people and nature, which my training in anthropology has mostly expunged. Thinking dichotomously, though, I have to say the most meaningful interaction I have had with a non-human animal was with the Yellow Lab our family had when I was growing up. That and other friendships (?) I have had with domesticated animals over the years have led me to the belief that pets truly can improve one’s quality of life. Other than that, I think hiking is always an amazing experience, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. My ability to think clearly and abstractly is at its best when I’m in a secluded wood surrounded by nothing but “nature.”
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My childhood home was located beside a watershed at the edge of the Coronado National Forest just outside Tucson, Arizona. Although I now wish that construction had never taken place anywhere near the area, having a mixed desert/riparian ecosystem at our doorstep was a real treat. After the monsoon, when the risk of flash floods was gone, we used to take our dogs down to the creek and attempt to build rafts out of sticks and small logs. Some of my most treasured memories are imbued with the sights of cottonwood trees, prickly pares, and the occasional bobcat; the sounds of cicadas, coyotes, and rushing water; the touch of warm sand and silty creekbeds; and the smells of creosote and wet dog.
Now? I feel like it changes all the time. I still love the Coronado area, and Sedona, AZ, is of course peerless. However, living as I do in the Philippines’ “last frontier”, I’ll have to go with El Nido, a municipality in the northern reaches of the province. One just can’t beat the quadruple coincidence of turquoise seas, white sands, limestone cliffs, and primary-growth rainforests. Not to mention some really unique creatures and a seemingly boundless inventory of beautiful flora.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
That darn dichotomy again. My favorite animal is taxonomized as Homo sapiens sapiens. Yes, people. Why? Because they can talk and write and sing and dance and cry. And argue and grow vegetables. And it’s easy to find them “in the wild.”
As for non-human animas, I like water buffaloes or karaboa as they’re called here. In this part of the Philippines, they are the primary beasts of burden. Yet, of course, they are ignored by the eco-tourism firms in their celebration of the mouse deer, cockatoos, and whale sharks. I’m thinking of starting a Save-the-Karaboa foundation to free them from their servitude, which surely must be an enemy of biodiversity :)
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 willful ignorance and apathy are the greatest challenges. I offer the US government and most of that country’s consumers, including myself, as my evidence. As long as oil, defense, and other military-industrial oligarchs are seen as viable political leaders, we will never make the switch to renewable energy sources or tackle the fundamental problem of global inequality that is driving environmental degradation in the developing world.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
You are the problem, but you also have the potential to be the solution. Just don’t wait for the government to tell you how to start your transformation.
Today’s Date: 13 January 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I find this question difficult to answer because it implies a dichotomy between people and nature, which my training in anthropology has mostly expunged. Thinking dichotomously, though, I have to say the most meaningful interaction I have had with a non-human animal was with the Yellow Lab our family had when I was growing up. That and other friendships (?) I have had with domesticated animals over the years have led me to the belief that pets truly can improve one’s quality of life. Other than that, I think hiking is always an amazing experience, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. My ability to think clearly and abstractly is at its best when I’m in a secluded wood surrounded by nothing but “nature.”
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My childhood home was located beside a watershed at the edge of the Coronado National Forest just outside Tucson, Arizona. Although I now wish that construction had never taken place anywhere near the area, having a mixed desert/riparian ecosystem at our doorstep was a real treat. After the monsoon, when the risk of flash floods was gone, we used to take our dogs down to the creek and attempt to build rafts out of sticks and small logs. Some of my most treasured memories are imbued with the sights of cottonwood trees, prickly pares, and the occasional bobcat; the sounds of cicadas, coyotes, and rushing water; the touch of warm sand and silty creekbeds; and the smells of creosote and wet dog.
Now? I feel like it changes all the time. I still love the Coronado area, and Sedona, AZ, is of course peerless. However, living as I do in the Philippines’ “last frontier”, I’ll have to go with El Nido, a municipality in the northern reaches of the province. One just can’t beat the quadruple coincidence of turquoise seas, white sands, limestone cliffs, and primary-growth rainforests. Not to mention some really unique creatures and a seemingly boundless inventory of beautiful flora.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
That darn dichotomy again. My favorite animal is taxonomized as Homo sapiens sapiens. Yes, people. Why? Because they can talk and write and sing and dance and cry. And argue and grow vegetables. And it’s easy to find them “in the wild.”
As for non-human animas, I like water buffaloes or karaboa as they’re called here. In this part of the Philippines, they are the primary beasts of burden. Yet, of course, they are ignored by the eco-tourism firms in their celebration of the mouse deer, cockatoos, and whale sharks. I’m thinking of starting a Save-the-Karaboa foundation to free them from their servitude, which surely must be an enemy of biodiversity :)
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 willful ignorance and apathy are the greatest challenges. I offer the US government and most of that country’s consumers, including myself, as my evidence. As long as oil, defense, and other military-industrial oligarchs are seen as viable political leaders, we will never make the switch to renewable energy sources or tackle the fundamental problem of global inequality that is driving environmental degradation in the developing world.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
You are the problem, but you also have the potential to be the solution. Just don’t wait for the government to tell you how to start your transformation.
January 11, 2007
Alexandre de Lichtervelde
Belgian Federal Ministry of Environment
Today's Date: 11 January 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Watching blue whales and sperm whales in the Arctic Ocean.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Woods and rivers.
Now? The ocean and the mountains in South America.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Dogs for domestic animals because they stay with you when you are studying; wild horses for their beauty and liberty.
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?
Climate change now and biodiversity loss in the near future.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Go out everyday and try to connect yourself to nature to get inspiration. Open your eyes when traveling: so much is happening regarding the environment.
Today's Date: 11 January 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Watching blue whales and sperm whales in the Arctic Ocean.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Woods and rivers.
Now? The ocean and the mountains in South America.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Dogs for domestic animals because they stay with you when you are studying; wild horses for their beauty and liberty.
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?
Climate change now and biodiversity loss in the near future.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Go out everyday and try to connect yourself to nature to get inspiration. Open your eyes when traveling: so much is happening regarding the environment.
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