Have you heard of the Half-Earth Project? It’s an attempt to galvanise people into setting aside half the earth as nature reserves in order to preserve biodiversity. There was a pretty cool accompanying book by E.O. Wilson as well.
When I was in ZPG we had many activities for different groups. One, for early elementary school kids was called "Earth the Apple of our Eye". We would take an apple and say it represents the earth and ask the kids how much of the apple can we live. [iupui.edu] First thing is cut the apple in fourths. 3/4 of the world is water/oceans. Then cut another piece (about 10%) and this represents mountains, deserts, polar regions or any inhospitable places. Subtract another 11% because this is needed for agriculture (a large part of which comes from raising food animals). Then there is paved over land. Finally, ask where we live (on the surface) so peel what is left. One is left with a tiny sliver of the original.
E.O. Wilson is a brilliant scientist and I laud his idea. Unfortunately, with the human population still growing exponentially how is one going to galvanize people???
I have 1 child, am almost a vegan, bike whenever I can (but after my accident this will stop for a while), walk and drive a small hybrid. I do everything I can to lower my impact but I am only one (albeit rare) out of 7.5 billion people.
The city I live in is losing green space at a most alarming rate. City Council recently allowed a bank to begin building on the primary public park in the city. It's awful.
@LetzGetReal We are albeit unsuccessfully. The prevailing belief seems to be: $$ is god. Environment is someone else's problem. People in this city seem to especially hate trees - go figure.
@pixiedust I have a belief that people who live in a region in which the environment is oppressive one needs to control it. This describes a lot of conservative areas. Areas wit a beautiful and supportive environment (like the Pacific NW) one wants to embrace and protect it. According to Jared Diamond, "Guns, Germs and Steel" it id=s about geography.
Posted by kmazfrom a french artist, fabrien barrau
Posted by KilltheskyfairyPlease spend 3 minutes reading this note from William Shatner, the actor from Star Trek: “Last year, I had a life-changing experience at 90 years old.
Posted by KilltheskyfairyDon’t blame me! I voted for Gore! (and Kerry, and Clinton, etc.)
Posted by KilltheskyfairyDon’t blame me! I voted for Gore! (and Kerry, and Clinton, etc.)
Posted by AnonySchmooseAchieving Climate Change Mitigation in the Forest Sector | Frontiers Research Topic
Posted by AnonySchmooseVisualizing the Quantities of Climate Change – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet
Posted by LetzGetReal In “Mermaid” BENJAMIN VON WONG created a scene using 10,000 donated USED plastic bottles then photographed it from overhead.
Posted by AnonySchmooseThe Search for Planet-Friendly Protein | Yes! Magazine
Posted by AnonySchmooseThe Search for Planet-Friendly Protein | Yes! Magazine
Posted by AnonySchmooseWill protecting 30 percent of Earth prevent the extinction crisis? | Science News
Posted by LetzGetRealHi ALL, Been away, lots to do in my real life community, plus family issues in the states were pressing.
Posted by Heidi68Truth from a boy and his tiger
Posted by Heidi68They knew at the beginning of the last century. Just think if we had listened & work toward change starting back then
Posted by JoeBUnexpectedly large herd of Elephants sighted in Borno State, .
Posted by MsAlIts been raining all winter here in Michigan and Im finding it hard to avoid politics by talking about the weather.
Posted by djs64Happy and sad.