Adopt a New Paradigm this Earth Day (April 22nd)
Which will be first, Peak Oil or Peak Water?
April 5, 2011Call to ban shale gas exploration in the Karoo
April 6, 2011A recent study found that Americans spend less than one hour a week outside and asserts that this is leading to all kinds of ailments, including increased levels of stress and illness, obesity, fatigue, and even ADHD.
This is one reason why we are being encouraged to adopt a new paradigm this Earth Day April 22nd by Catriona MacGregor, the award-winning author of “Partnering with Nature: The Wild Path to Reconnecting with the Earth” and leader of a growing “eco-consciousness” movement.
According to MacGregor, who has over two decades of environmental experience around the globe, and who now leads Nature & Vision Quests (http://www.naturalpathfinder.com), it is vital that we understand not only how important our role is in nature’s sphere, but also how crucial nature’s role is in our lives.
MacGregor believes that we are suffering from a nature deficit disorder that not only leads to ill health. She points to the low levels of vitamin D in the population, which can lead to overeating and depression, and increased allergies from higher levels of pollen due to global warming, as examples.
“Partnering with Nature” (“Best Social Change Book 2010” http://tinyurl.com/yh4pkam) gives examples of sustainable technologies that we copy from nature called “bio-mimicry.” For example, the Port of Portland has just installed a water cleaning system that copies how wetlands purify water through the use of sunlight, bacteria, and green plants.
“Partnering” highly recommends that by working with trees, we can help to heal the atmosphere. One project, which is doing just that, is underway by a group called Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. Their mission: Clone the world’s most ecologically valuable tree species and plant millions of copies of trees. The trees will store carbon while creating healthful oxygen, preserve ecosystem diversity.
Ultimately though, MacGregor points to having direct experiences in nature as being critical to humankind in general. This is why MacGregor leads nature retreats and Vision Quests to help people connect with nature in a meaningful way. According to MacGregor, “We miss the subtle changes in the wind, the calls of birds, the smell of the fragrant Earth beneath our feet, the wonder of seeing the brilliant stars in the night sky. We spend more time indoors or commuting, leaving little time for deep inner journeys or quiet walks in the woods.”
This is why she encourages all of us to adopt a new paradigm for this Earth Day – one that reveres all life on Earth.
Three Things You Can Do Now to Make A Difference
- Spend More Time in Nature: ride or walk to work, take a camping vacation, and/or go on a Vision Quest.
- Take Action to Protect & Restore Nature: Plant trees, protect habitat & wildlife.
- Live Sustainably: install solar power panels, buy a car that has high mpg – AND insist that your tax dollars support sustainable energy like solar and wind. Also see What is Sustainability?
Source: PR Newswire
We do need to reconnect with Nature and what better way to do this than by spending time in the great outdoors. See Eco-Friendly Camping Tips. Nature and human health are strongly connected; see www.ecovitality.co.za for more information on health and the environment.
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Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today. Another way of reducing your carbon footprint is to switch to green insurance, now available in South Africa.
