Assistant Professor, Sociology, University of Saint Francis (Dr./Prof.)
Today’s Date: 26 January 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
People noticed when I was a very young child that domesticated animals followed me around, approached me, or rested by me, and many wild animals - armadillos, birds, a young coyote, jackrabbits, feral cats and dogs - didn't seem threatened by my presence. The people who noticed these things told me that this was unusual and reinforced in my child-mind that this was a very positive attribute. When I told adults that I could hear what animals were thinking, they acted as though they believed me. So, the short answer to the stated question is: As a toddler, I was talking to non-human animals (and some trees) before I began having conversations with humans, I believed that the animals and trees spoke back to me, and the adults around me didn't discourage my behavior.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
As a child, I loved the uncultivated section of my paternal grandparent's farm in West Texas. There were 50 acres populated by mesquite trees, jackrabbits, sun-bleached cow bones, coyotes, sometimes a few cows, and a few feral cats. A perfect day: wandering around looking closely at everything, finding a spot under a mesquite tree, checking for fire-ants, then sitting and watching the wildlife move around.
Now? The Jemez Mountains in New Mexico and the red rock semi-desert areas in the northwest quadrant of New Mexico. Also, Albuquerque in the spring when the emerald hummingbirds migrate right through the city, hovering within inches of my face as I walk down a sidewalk, and when confused (?) roadrunners come running into the house you are in. One time, I was visiting a friend in Albuquerque, and a roadrunner dashed in the house through the front dog-door, then trotted around the house, then went out the back patio sliding door that was open.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Usually the animals that I am living with....but I think you are asking about my totem animal. So, my favorite animal is the bobcat. They live wild across the US, yet most people do not see them. The have a beautiful face that communicates intelligence and extra-ordinary senses. They appear small, but are heavy and strong for their size, and have the confidence of a much larger cat. The bobcat makes me think of possibilities, rather than impossibilities.
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?
Lack of education for humans regarding sustainable lifestyles is a current challenge. The future challenge will be salvaging whatever biodiversity survives our current unsustainable lifestyles.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Immediate, global agreement that all humans should not exceed replacement level reproduction.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
January 26, 2007
January 25, 2007
Dr. Michael J. Cohen - Project NatureConnect
Aren't We The Victims Of An Outrageous Lie?
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Dr. Michael J. Cohen, 360-378-6313
Email: nature@interisland.net
Website: http://www.ecopsych.com/
We Unnecessarily Suffer Stress And Disorders Because We Are Victims Of A Lie Perpetrated by Education, Psychology and Health Leaders.
In the tenth anniversary edition of "Reconnecting With Nature" (Ecopress, 2007), Dr. Michael Cohen, an Ecopsychologist, at the Institute of Global Education, demonstrates how a vast majority us are victims of a dangerous lie perpetrated by Psychology, Health and Education, professionals.
Cohen shows that our most trusted leaders help us produce the destructive stress and troubles we commonly suffer.
During our early childhood years our leadership emotionally bonds us to the idea that we live on the surface of Planet Earth. But we don't. We live 300 miles deep in our planet, imbedded in and nurtured by its biosphere. Since 1929, it has been widely known that Earth includes a biosphere zone where natural systems recycle and sustain all life on the planet, including humanity.
Nature produces no garbage because natural systems have the ability to correct themselves and as well as purify everything they flow through. The grace, balance and restorative powers of these systems stream through all of life, including the life of our psyche, of how we think and feel. This streaming is how nature sustains life, diversifies and grows without creating pollution or our excessive stress, violence and disorders.
Because we habitually believe our biosphere-separation lie, on average, we spend 98 percent of our time, thinking and feeling while disconnected from natural systems. This estranges us from their beneficial powers. They can't flow and recycle the contamination in our psyche. As a result, we suffer great personal and environmental disorders.
To reverse this detrimental habit, the sensory Organic Psychology techniques found in "Reconnecting With Nature" enable us to genuinely connect our thinking and feeling to natural systems. This gives us the ability to let the healing powers of natural systems help us remedy our personal and environmental dysfunctions.
Most of us know that a short walk in a natural area momentarily renews us as natural systems begin to flow through our psyche. Organic Psychology provides us with the means, online, to strengthen and prolong this worthwhile process. As we add its benefits to our personal and professional life, we increase individual, social and environmental well-being.
See some outcomes at: http://www.ecopsych.com/2004ecoheal.html
See a book description at http://www.ecopsych.com/newbook2007.html
For further information contact: Dr. Michael J. Cohen, 360-378-6313
Email: nature@interisland.net
Website: http://www.ecopsych.com/
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Dr. Michael J. Cohen, 360-378-6313
Email: nature@interisland.net
Website: http://www.ecopsych.com/
We Unnecessarily Suffer Stress And Disorders Because We Are Victims Of A Lie Perpetrated by Education, Psychology and Health Leaders.
In the tenth anniversary edition of "Reconnecting With Nature" (Ecopress, 2007), Dr. Michael Cohen, an Ecopsychologist, at the Institute of Global Education, demonstrates how a vast majority us are victims of a dangerous lie perpetrated by Psychology, Health and Education, professionals.
Cohen shows that our most trusted leaders help us produce the destructive stress and troubles we commonly suffer.
During our early childhood years our leadership emotionally bonds us to the idea that we live on the surface of Planet Earth. But we don't. We live 300 miles deep in our planet, imbedded in and nurtured by its biosphere. Since 1929, it has been widely known that Earth includes a biosphere zone where natural systems recycle and sustain all life on the planet, including humanity.
Nature produces no garbage because natural systems have the ability to correct themselves and as well as purify everything they flow through. The grace, balance and restorative powers of these systems stream through all of life, including the life of our psyche, of how we think and feel. This streaming is how nature sustains life, diversifies and grows without creating pollution or our excessive stress, violence and disorders.
Because we habitually believe our biosphere-separation lie, on average, we spend 98 percent of our time, thinking and feeling while disconnected from natural systems. This estranges us from their beneficial powers. They can't flow and recycle the contamination in our psyche. As a result, we suffer great personal and environmental disorders.
To reverse this detrimental habit, the sensory Organic Psychology techniques found in "Reconnecting With Nature" enable us to genuinely connect our thinking and feeling to natural systems. This gives us the ability to let the healing powers of natural systems help us remedy our personal and environmental dysfunctions.
Most of us know that a short walk in a natural area momentarily renews us as natural systems begin to flow through our psyche. Organic Psychology provides us with the means, online, to strengthen and prolong this worthwhile process. As we add its benefits to our personal and professional life, we increase individual, social and environmental well-being.
See some outcomes at: http://www.ecopsych.com/2004ecoheal.html
See a book description at http://www.ecopsych.com/newbook2007.html
For further information contact: Dr. Michael J. Cohen, 360-378-6313
Email: nature@interisland.net
Website: http://www.ecopsych.com/
Adwan Shehab
Researcher (General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research) - Syria
Today's Date: 25.01.2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
(no answer given)
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
(no answer given)
Now? (no answer given)
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favorite animals are Owls.
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 facing us now (in our region) is the war; its reasons and results!!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Please keep our environment free of mass destruction weapons, please save the souls of our children.
Today's Date: 25.01.2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
(no answer given)
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
(no answer given)
Now? (no answer given)
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favorite animals are Owls.
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 facing us now (in our region) is the war; its reasons and results!!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Please keep our environment free of mass destruction weapons, please save the souls of our children.
January 24, 2007
Ko Chang-Hoon
Chair/ World Association for Island Studies
Today's Date: January 24, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Death of my favorite dog, Jerry
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Seogwipo village port (South Korea)
Now? same
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Dog which used to be familiar with my family as one of family member
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?
pollution
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
strong preservation consciousness, policy, and movement
Today's Date: January 24, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Death of my favorite dog, Jerry
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Seogwipo village port (South Korea)
Now? same
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Dog which used to be familiar with my family as one of family member
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?
pollution
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
strong preservation consciousness, policy, and movement
Anne Gilbert
Writer --- self-employed
Today’s Date: January 23, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Crows come to mind. There are lots of them around here, and I've seen them do some very interesting things. They are smart, too. As for "nature", when the sun shines around here, you can't fail to see Mount Rainier, which is a volcano.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
One place my family was very fond of going when I was young was the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River near Darrington, Washington. It was, and still is, pretty rural. There are mountains all around, and the river is just wild enough, even in the summer, to be interesting. At one time, My family used to picnic in one part of what turned out to be a horse pasture. At one time I had a picture of the horse who used the pasture. I didn't know it at the time, but it turned out to be an Appaloosa with a particular, distinctive spotting pattern. Later, I think this influenced my writing(there is an Appaloosa-type horse who plays a part in the story I'm writing). Anyway, one thing I remember about the horse. The first time my family and I visited the place, she had recently foaled. She didn't do anything, but she was obviously very protective of the foal(she kept looking at us as if to say "don't get too close"). The following summer, the horse was so darn friendly that she came to our picnic table and tried to eat the picnic basket!
Now? Now, there are many places. There is an arboretum on the other side of the hill from where I live, and I like to walk there when the weather moderates (we've had kind of horrible weather for the Puget Sound region the past couple of months). There are lots of birds and trees, and in the spring, you can sometimes see hatched tadpoles in the ponds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Wolves and cats, in no particular order. No, not dogs. Wolves. In their wild state. Because they are wild, and highly complex, social beings. Cats because cats are "domesticated" --- sort of --- but retain enough of their independence so that no cat, no matter how docile, is entirely predictable.
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?
Having just gone through the horrible weather patterns I mentioned earlier, I think the absolute greatest challenge we face at the moment is global warming. It's affecting everyone, in various ways. Here, it takes the form of increased rains and flooding in rural areas A story in this morning's paper, about Hmong farmers who lost most of their year's crop of flowers --- they depend on growing them for their livelihood --- rotting because of massive floods. These floods come almost every year now, and they are often quite damaging, and not just to Hmong farmers. And they come earlier, in November, or sometimes late October, rather than December or January as they once did. There has been less snow in the mountains (this year is an exception), so ski resort operators lose money. And the oceans are warming up so that what few salmon are left after overfishing, are now migrating farther and farther north. And that's just in the Pacific Northwest. The rest of the world has other, perhaps even more horrible problems caused, in part, by global warming. This will only get worse if we don't do something about it now. I have no particular ideas of what to do about it, only that we should all, every person, every nation, every part of the world, try to do whatever we can to deal with it.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If you see a problem "out there", don't keep quiet. Speak up. Do everything you can to see it fixed. Now. Tomorrow the problem may be incomparably worse. Or tomorrow, it may even be too late.
Today’s Date: January 23, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Crows come to mind. There are lots of them around here, and I've seen them do some very interesting things. They are smart, too. As for "nature", when the sun shines around here, you can't fail to see Mount Rainier, which is a volcano.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
One place my family was very fond of going when I was young was the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River near Darrington, Washington. It was, and still is, pretty rural. There are mountains all around, and the river is just wild enough, even in the summer, to be interesting. At one time, My family used to picnic in one part of what turned out to be a horse pasture. At one time I had a picture of the horse who used the pasture. I didn't know it at the time, but it turned out to be an Appaloosa with a particular, distinctive spotting pattern. Later, I think this influenced my writing(there is an Appaloosa-type horse who plays a part in the story I'm writing). Anyway, one thing I remember about the horse. The first time my family and I visited the place, she had recently foaled. She didn't do anything, but she was obviously very protective of the foal(she kept looking at us as if to say "don't get too close"). The following summer, the horse was so darn friendly that she came to our picnic table and tried to eat the picnic basket!
Now? Now, there are many places. There is an arboretum on the other side of the hill from where I live, and I like to walk there when the weather moderates (we've had kind of horrible weather for the Puget Sound region the past couple of months). There are lots of birds and trees, and in the spring, you can sometimes see hatched tadpoles in the ponds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Wolves and cats, in no particular order. No, not dogs. Wolves. In their wild state. Because they are wild, and highly complex, social beings. Cats because cats are "domesticated" --- sort of --- but retain enough of their independence so that no cat, no matter how docile, is entirely predictable.
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?
Having just gone through the horrible weather patterns I mentioned earlier, I think the absolute greatest challenge we face at the moment is global warming. It's affecting everyone, in various ways. Here, it takes the form of increased rains and flooding in rural areas A story in this morning's paper, about Hmong farmers who lost most of their year's crop of flowers --- they depend on growing them for their livelihood --- rotting because of massive floods. These floods come almost every year now, and they are often quite damaging, and not just to Hmong farmers. And they come earlier, in November, or sometimes late October, rather than December or January as they once did. There has been less snow in the mountains (this year is an exception), so ski resort operators lose money. And the oceans are warming up so that what few salmon are left after overfishing, are now migrating farther and farther north. And that's just in the Pacific Northwest. The rest of the world has other, perhaps even more horrible problems caused, in part, by global warming. This will only get worse if we don't do something about it now. I have no particular ideas of what to do about it, only that we should all, every person, every nation, every part of the world, try to do whatever we can to deal with it.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If you see a problem "out there", don't keep quiet. Speak up. Do everything you can to see it fixed. Now. Tomorrow the problem may be incomparably worse. Or tomorrow, it may even be too late.
January 23, 2007
Hema Singh
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)