The Atlas of Disappearing Places: Our Coasts and Oceans in the Climate Crisis

 

“Someone once wondered why it is that if a work of man is destroyed, it is called vandalism, but if a work of nature is destroyed it is often called progress.”

Jane Goodall, Seeds of Hope

We only know about 9 percent of the 2.2 million species that inhabit the ocean. This means that about 91 percent is unknown to us. There is a complex elusive world under attack by us, humans, as we continue to dump plastic, fertilizers, toxic metals, pesticides, sewage, agricultural runoff, oil, etc. These chemicals kill and contaminate the fish that feed three billion people. Coastal pollution leads to the spread of infections; oil spills and various chemicals compromise the oxygen supply of ocean creatures.

  Phytoplankton are single-celled creatures that produce 50-80 percent of the oxygen on earth, so protecting oceans is tied to our own survival. Along with tropical, temperate, and boreal forests, phytoplankton make up the “lungs” of the planet.

 The warming of the oceans as a result of industrialization affects life in the sea. Warm water holds less oxygen, and the requirement for oxygen at warmer temperatures increases, so this creates a deficient supply for living beings in the sea. Furthermore, I already wrote about the acidification of the oceans due to the high emission of carbon dioxide by human activities when I reviewed the book Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid by Thor Hanson. In my post, I also explained what corals are and the bleaching that takes place when the water is too warm.

  The Atlas of Disappearing Places: Our Coasts and Oceans in the Climate Crisis, by Christina Conklin and Marina Psaros, details some of the challenges and transformations that various places are facing as a result of pollution and climate change, two issues that are inextricably interwoven.

   There is a chapter for each individual place; the authors explore the environmental issues and how they are affecting the economy. There is a section about their projections for the year 2050. In other words, in that section of the chapter the writers pretend that they are already in the year 2050, and they describe the outcome of the situation.

 The places portrayed and explored in the book include the following: Kure Atoll, Hawaii; the Arabian Sea; Camden, Maine; the Cook Islands; San Francisco Bay; Houston, Texas; New York city; Hamburg, Germany; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Kutupalong Camp, Bangladesh; The Arctic Ocean; Pisco, Peru; The North Atlantic Ocean; Ise, Japan; Kisite, Kenya; Pine Island Glacier; Shangai, China; The Thames Estuary, Britain; Ben Tre, Vietnam; and Hampton Roads, Virginia.

The book addresses the need to act to create a habitable future on earth for our descendants.

 Kisite, Kenya, is one of the places described:

For decades, the diversity and bounty of Kenya’s small-scale fisheries have been in decline. Unsustainable fishing practices-including cyanide to stun fish; bottom trawling to scrape from the seafloor into big nets; and exceeding (or failing to set) quotas on threatened fish species—are some of the culprits. Kenya has worked hard over the past few decades to better protect its wildlife, including designing a number of new marine protected areas that aren’t protected (MPAs). These areas, which restrict extractive activities, show increased biodiversity and larger numbers of fish over areas that are not protected.

 Even though Kenya has attained some degree of success, it is still seeing declines in fish and the degradation of coral reefs as a result of ocean warming, polluted runoff from coastal towns, and illegal fishing activity. This has deleterious effects for the thousands of subsistence fishers in Kenya, and it impacts tourism as well.

Perhaps the greatest feat of the book is to spur us to do our part to work toward a better outcome. Every individual action matters; each day is an opportunity to learn and improve, to lead the path toward a better future. Policies also matter. Voting is crucial to make sure that we support measures that care about the quality of the air and the water, so contact your representatives and inform yourself. It is an ethical responsibility to remember, no matter where you live.

 

There are many interesting facts that will help remind people to make better choices each and every day:

 We wash eight million tons of plastic into the ocean each year, and even countries with good waste management recycle very little of it—just 30 percent in Europe and 9 percent in the United States of America. By 2050, one major study projects, if we continue on the same consumption trajectory, there will be a pound of plastic in the ocean for every pound of fish.

 Chemicals in plastic, such as bisphenol A and phthalates, are endocrine disruptors and they cause cancer in humans. They also harm animals in the sea. It takes over five hundred years for plastic to break down, and the tiny particles remain in the environment, having an impact on marine life and our own health.

 Here's a recent report on the possible effects of microplastics on the brain.

    Placing plastic in the recycling bin is not a guarantee that it will get recycled. According to a recent article in the Smithsonian Magazine, only 5 percent of the total plastic met the conditions to get recycled during the year 2021 in the United States of America. Hence, it is necessary to reduce or avoid the use of plastic altogether.

  Despite our differences, we all want and need clean water and air, so we should do more to protect the planet. We depend on the existence of healthy soil as well. Yes, clean energy is crucial; conservation is paramount.

 The only aspect I did not like about the book is the authors’ utilitarian view of animals. I think they could have offered another perspective on this, one based on the current scientific research, to promote empathic solutions…

 What will our descendants say about us in a hundred years? It will depend on our actions in the 2020s…

I came across this lovely quote this past week:

The quote concludes that the earth is sacred, so we should treat her with respect and align our actions with this ethical principle. We are the Earth; the Earth is us. We know that when we harm the Earth and other creatures, we are harming ourselves.

 

The quote reminded me of the speech by Chief Seattle, a Suquamish chief. My mother shared it with me when I was little, and it has become relevant today:

“The President in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. But how can you buy or sell the sky? the land? 

The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them? Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people.

We know the sap which courses through the trees as we know the blood that courses through our veins. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The bear, the deer, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the dew in the meadow, the body heat of the pony, and man all belong to the same family. The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water, but the blood of our ancestors. 

 To read the full speech, you can go here.

 

I will publish my next post on November 11.

Enjoy the ride on My Writing Life blog.

Unstoppable Native American Women by April Riverwood

 

                                                        

 Why do history textbooks fail to share the contributions of so many amazing women? I have witnessed the frustration that girls experience when they study social studies in middle school. They feel excluded. Two or three lines are not enough to share the struggles of women throughout history, for women had to work harder than men. Most women received little or no recognition for their accomplishments.

 Have you ever heard of Susan La Flesche Picotte? She was born in 1865, shortly after the Civil War. She saved lives and delivered babies, but she was not allowed to vote or call herself a citizen because she was Native American.

 Dr. La Flesche Picotte made house calls on horseback in all kinds of weather, risking her own life to reach her patients. Yet she earned around one tenth of what her male colleagues made.

 Dr. La Flesche Picotte educated patients on preventative care and personal hygiene; she advocated for public health and promoted respect and cooperation between races and cultures.

 Dr. La Flesche Picotte belonged to the Omaha Reservation of Nebraska, where she was the only physician to more than 1200 patients in an area of 1350 square miles.

 

April Riverwood put together the engaging stories of various Indigenous women. Their experiences will inspire the readers to persevere despite the setbacks and obstacles imposed by prejudices, discrimination and social rejection.

Maria Tallchief (1925-2013) was a ballerina who did not allow public humiliation and rejection to deter her from following her dreams. Her incredible spirit will find its imprint in a coin in the year 2023. I was in awe to learn about her challenges and how she persisted throughout her ordeals, even after she retired.

  Have you ever heard of Mary Golda Ross? She was a Cherokee woman born in 1908 in Park Hill, Oklahoma. Mary Golda Ross was proud of the Cherokee tradition of equal education for boys and girls. Her passion for math and science propelled her to work toward her goals. In addition to being unstoppable herself, she supported other women in her field.

After spending ten years teaching math in a public school, she went back to college and earned a Master’s degree in mathematics in 1938.

 Among other accomplishments, she contributed to create the first fighter plane to exceed 400 miles per hour during World War II. You can learn more about her from April Riverwood’s book.

I was fascinated to learn about the life of Wa Wa Chaw, a poet, artist and activist whose works are blatantly ignored by the educational system.

 April Riverwood’s book is an invaluable resource for educators, and it should be present in every school library. Girls deserve to learn about these women and many others. It is the students' right to celebrate their lives and to explore their views and experiences in depth.

 We are used to listening about the same women as if they were exceptional cases, and this situation creates a bias against the female gender in the study material. 

 Knowledge and respect are the tools needed to discard old prejudices and stereotypes that limit the perspectives of people and their opportunities. We can build healthier societies when we acknowledge the beauty of diversity, and the need to embrace the wonder of what the future can hold when we treat everybody with equal respect.

If you enjoyed this post, have fun reading my writing on Hyphened Nation, a book by Nicole Draffen.

Here’s a list of articles related to the need for an inclusive comprehensive school curriculum:

 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-schools-teach-womens-history-180971447/

https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/january-2022/missing-women-tackling-gender-imbalance-in-social-studies-textbooks

https://lanetechchampion.org/10990/opinion/women-are-constantly-being-overlooked-in-history-classes-and-its-an-issue/

https://daily.jstor.org/what-we-lose-when-we-lose-indigenous-knowledge/

Why Dogs Hump and Bees get Depressed by Marc Bekoff

 

  It was by accident that I stumbled upon the sunflowers and almost fell onto them when several bees were busy on them a few weeks ago. I thought my unexpected interference would upset them, but I was wrong. The bees kept their attention on their tasks as if nothing had happened. As I reflected upon my experience, I concluded that I was familiar to them; after all, I tend to my garden regularly, so why would they treat me with distrust?

  Two days later, I came across an interesting essay that mentioned that bees are able to recognize individual human faces. I got a bit emotional when I read it, and then I searched more about this subject and found several articles online about research on this topic. At the library, I landed on Marc Bekoff’s book: Why Dogs Hump and Bees get Depressed. His book is a compilation of essays about the fascinating science of animal intelligence, emotions, friendship and conservation.  

 Don’t be fooled by the small size of the bees’ brains, because size does not matter when it comes to intelligence. The complexity of their neurons correlates with their intelligence. Their tiny brains use abstract thought and symbolic language; in fact, bees have multiple abilities:

 “Each day they solve advanced mathematical problems of how to most efficiently travel between multiple sites. They know when to mix medications for the hive and distinguish complex landscape scenes, including types of flowers, shapes and patterns. Bees also learn categories and sequences and adjust them for future rewards. They are masters of mazes and show short-term and long-term memory, ranging from days to entire life spans.”

 One important concept he debunks is that of speciesism, or the idea that there are higher and lower classes of animals, a hierarchy that is used to justify the abuse of animals. In his essays Bekoff examines the science about morality, intelligence, emotions in non-human animals. He emphasizes the presence of empathy and cooperation and highlights the need to understand that animals have individual personalities. Furthermore, he explains that, just like human animals, non-human beings are also affected by traumatic experiences and psychological distress.

 Pigs, for example, hate to be kept in filthy conditions, and you may be shocked to learn that when you use the word “pig” as an insult, you are giving somebody a compliment, because pigs are empathic complex creatures. They are intelligent and sensitive. The same concept applies to other animals, and the more we learn, the more we need to open our minds to new possibilities.

 If you have been following this blog, you know how much I cherish books about animals, and I have to confess that Marc Bekoff’s books are my favorite ones. He has a special way of sparking my curiosity and awakening my fascination, encouraging me to read more and do more to expand my compassion footprint. This specific book was published nine years ago, and the scientific information he shared is more relevant now, because research in this field has continued to evolve and to help us gain a better understanding of the foundation of knowledge he provided.

 The essays he included were blog posts published in Psychology Today a decade ago, and I am happy to report that he continues blogging for this site.

 I also appreciate the fact that he includes several book recommendations about related topics. Marc Bekoff is an ethologist. An ethologist is a scientist who studies animal behavior. Bekoff is good at explaining complex subjects in simple terms, but what I enjoy the most about his writing is his enthusiasm to inspire us to make positive changes wherever we are. I appreciate his courage and embrace his compassionate nature, which he puts to good use, for his talents promote positive changes in the lives of others, both human and non-human beings.

 Marc Bekoff’s spirit is a wellspring of hope and action. He is an excellent role model of perseverance and patience. The light of his wisdom reminds us to never be sidetracked by the naysayers.

 This is a thoroughly researched read; it is entertaining, educational and life-transforming.

  Research has clearly shown that animals kept as pets have a positive effect on the mental and emotional health of their caregivers, so if we know this, why is it okay to abuse them?

 The Physicians Committee for responsible medicine shared some important information this week, and I hope it encourages you to take action.

 “Wayne State University in Detroit subjects dogs to invasive, painful experiments in which devices are implanted in the animals’ chest, in their hearts and around major arteries. The experiments, which have not resulted in any improvements for human patients, have cost taxpayers 12 million dollars and have killed hundreds of dogs. Please, tell the leaders of Wayne State to end these experiments immediately and focus on human-relevant research.”

 Take action at EndDogExperiments.org

I always say that what we do to the animals, we do to ourselves. Violent human actions including polluting the environment have a deleterious effect on our present and future and they contribute to destroy our home: Mother earth. We are all interconnected in the web of life, so we need to do our best to live in harmony with each other.

  Dr. Monica Aggarwal is a cardiologist who is supporting her patients by encouraging them to adopt meaningful healthy lifestyle choices. One of her patients had 9 stents placed in his heart. He was very frustrated and wanted to improve his life to stop going to the hospital. Dr. Aggarwal told him that the food he was eating was hurting his heart. Her patient hunted for a living, but Dr. Aggarwal inspired him to adopt a plant-based diet and his life changed for the better. They worked together consistently and her patient has not been back to the cardiac catheterization lab in almost five years.

Her patient is no longer a hunter, because he does not want to give meat to anybody else.

Here’s an interview with Dr. Monica Aggarwal, cardiologist.

 I stand in solidarity with the courageous women protesting for their rights in Iran. 

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/03/1126603977/iran-mahsa-amini-solidarity-protests

 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/oct/03/something-sparked-iranian-women-art-protest-mahsa-amini

 https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/04/opinions/iran-ukraine-autocracies-struggle-democracy-ghitis/index.html

 

 

 

An Interview to Barbara Evans Kinnear

  

Today I have the honor to interview Barbara Evans Kinnear, daughter of Richard Eager, a World War II veteran whose experiences are documented in her recently released book: “Richard Eager” a Pilot’s Story from Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery’s “Flying Fortress.”

    I think it is important to highlight that the origin of World War II is rooted in the rise of fascist dictators like Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany. These fascist dictators capitalized on the economic anxieties of the time to abuse their power, and to scapegoat groups of people. These dictators used racial hatred and national pride to gather support. One of their strategies was to ban books. Banning books is a feature of dictators, so we need to be aware of the implications of such behaviors to avoid falling for the same past mistakes that led to persecution of dissidents, human rights violations and so much human suffering. Their disregard for democratic principles escalated and expanded beyond their borders to dominate other countries.  After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941, The United States of America declared war on Japan. Italy and Germany were allies of Japan and declared war on the United States.

 Barbara Evans Kinnear: Thank you, Julia, for your interest in my father’s book.  I am very grateful.

 Julia: Tell us about your father. What was his mission? 

 Barbara: My father, Richard Ernest Evans, was a young man coming of age just as the Second World War erupted. For him, and for many other young men and women, this was a harrowing and life-changing time to be alive. In the service of their country, average citizens became professional soldiers and had experiences that movie producers can only dream about. As they performed their duties, they met, served, and protected illustrious and prominent leaders, who are today recognized in the pages of history, but they themselves are not.

           Captain Richard E. Evans was an American B-17 Flying Fortress pilot. He flew 55 combat missions over North Africa, Italy and other German held territories. During that time, he was chosen to fly British Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery to wherever the General needed to be throughout North Africa and Italy. Evans and “Monty” traveled together during a particularly dangerous phase of the war, when the Allied forces were just beginning to turn back the brutal Axis armies that had invaded North Africa and were closing in on Egypt in an effort to gain control of the strategically vital Suez Canal. Over the deserts of Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, a rocky but honest and respectful friendship formed between the young American pilot, Captain Evans, and his British commander, Field Marshal Montgomery, later to become 1^st Viscount of Alamein.

           Captain Evans retired to the Air Force Reserves months after the Japanese surrendered, returning home to his wife and young daughter. He was asked to fly again when the Korean War began. He continued in the Air Force flying the B-47, B-52, and he became the B-58 Test Squadron Commander before retiring from the Air Force in 1959 as a Command Pilot and full Colonel.

 

Julia: What inspired you to write this book? What is it about?

 Barbara: Colonel Evans was inspired to write this book. He loved telling the stories, and felt there were lessons to be learned, people to remember and most of all tales to tell… of the bravery of the American military and their families at home during WWII.

           With humor, humility, and honesty, he shared personal lessons on perseverance, loyalty, fairness, fear, and respect. He wrote with great detail, so one could clearly imagine the scene as he described it.

           As the title implies, this book is both a coming-of-age story with memories and lessons from home, as well as a WWII story with unique adventures and experiences.

 

 Julia: How did you research the information? You mentioned your father was a storyteller. Did he like to write about his experiences? Is the book written from  your father's point of view?

 Barbara: The 21 chapters my father wrote between 1990 and 1993 are, the heart and soul of the book. Chapter drafts were sent to family members, and we worked, commented, and encouraged him to continue. Given that he was writing 50 years after the war, many memories were frightfully clear, and some subconsciously blurred, but later drawn out.

           Colonel Evans told his stories from his point of view. His “voice” is very clear. These are the stories of those whose names are known in history books, but also those who are not known by name or who did not survive the war.

           He gathered personal letters, photos and many notes and references to add context to his stories. He also compiled a humorous glossary of pilot’s vernacular. To provide greater perspective and color to Colonel Evans’ book, we have included more research and additional archival materials, including: a chronology of his life’s mile­stones and Second World War details; an appendix of original family letters, V-Mail, commendations and interesting documents, all primary sources that shed light on his fears, reflections, and important personal and professional relationships.

           My father passed away 2006, and I vowed to bring the book to the public, especially given the broad interest in General Bernard L. Montgomery, whom my father flew.

           I had saved my father’s best finished chapters, but in 2008, my family and I lost everything in the disastrous Santa Barbara Tea Fire. We thought his work was gone.

           However, within months of the fire, my stepmother asked me to take some boxes, belonging to my father out of storage in Los Angeles. Within the retrieved boxes, were drafts and drafts of the chapters, plus Air Force records, photographs and more. There was enough to get started… but the paper drafts and floppy disks were a mess. I remember asking myself, “How are we going to do this?” and then thought, “Just one page at a time.”  And so, my family and I began.

 

Julia: Would you like to share something that you learned from your father's personal experiences?

 Barbara: “Richard Eager,” was a young man with the heart and humor of a young Eagle Scout coming of age in WWII. He was given this nickname by his fellow pilot cadets for his over-eagerness, his gung-ho attitude in everything he pursued.

           One of the most important life lessons that I learned from my father was he was grateful. He shared his stories with remarkable optimism for the future and with gratitude for his family, his life, and the experiences from which he benefited.

 

Julia: What did you enjoy the most about co-authoring “Richard Eager” a Pilot’s Story from Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery’s “Flying fortress”?

 Barbara: My family and I worked over ten years to bring my father’s book to publication. The work was not every day of course, but over the years. USA and UK archive research was continued from what my father had provided. Iconic photographs that illuminated the stories, many from family, were found and restored. Important facts about B-17, crew members, who flew with Evans, were found, and added to the book. Editing the entire book, including the assistance of a fine line editor, was most important. A skilled designer, local publisher, printers and more added to the complexity of publishing the book.

 

           What did I enjoy about being the co-author… a promise to self was fulfilled, a beautiful book has been published, and this book has become a way to honor and remember Colonel Richard E. Evans and those he hoped to recognize in his chapters

 

Julia: Is there anything that you would like to add about the book?"

 Barbara: We happily learned this past spring that “Richard Eager” A Pilot’s Story was given two silver medal finalist awards by “The Next Generation Indie Book Awards” program. One award for autobiography/Biography and one for Military. And most importantly, 100% of the revenue from the books that are sold online and in bookstores goes to the Air Force Aid Society to permanently endow an educational scholarship in the name of Colonel Richard Ernest Evans.

  The selection of this charity for the Colonel Richard Ernest Evans Memorial Fund is an ode to my father’s appreciation for everyone in the Air Force. At the end of WWII, General Hap Arnold, who created the AFAS, gave a speech to “Thank all those who fly and those who make flying possible.”

 

Julia: Can you tell me about the Air Force Aid Society?

 Barbara: The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force founded in 1942 by General Henry “Hap” Arnold and his wife, Bee. The Society is dedicated to helping dependents of eligible Airmen and Guardians in three ways:

-Emergency assistance for families with financial needs

-Targeted community programs, such as childcare, car upkeep, and spouse employment

-Education support with scholarships, grants and loans made available to dependent children or spouses of Airmen and Guardians, active or retired. Education grants are based on financial need. The Endowed Colonel Richard Ernest Evans Memorial Fund, along with other donors, financially support the General Arnold Education Grant Program. Since launching in 1988 nearly $ 167 million dollars in Arnold education/ grants have been awarded to 109,499 hopeful scholars.

 

 After enjoying this intreview with Barbara Evans Kinnear, you may also be curious to check my writing on Wind, Sand and Stars a book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

 

 

 

And the Animals will Teach You

 

“The creatures who dwell in this book, from the rabbit in the desert to a German shepherd named Kirby, teach us how to live in the moment, how to be peaceful, how to trust, how to share strength and power, how to face fears, how to heal and how to love.” Margot Lasher

 At my local library I encountered a book that left me speechless due to its introspection, reflections and fascinating true stories about communication with non-human animals.

Margot Lasher’s And the Animals will Teach You was published in the year 1996, and I conclude that her book was able to anticipate scientific discoveries about the cognitive and emotional intelligence of non-human animals.

 It is surprising that this marvel was overlooked. Perhaps, it had something to do with the fact that it was written by an intelligent woman who meshed psychological knowledge with personal insights and observations; the world was not prepared to acknowledge the deep interconnection with other beings, the pith of her message.

If you have a special interest in relationships between human beings and non-human animals, this book is for you. If you perceive more about non-human animals than what you were taught in traditional education, this book will resonate with you, and reassure you.

  I was mesmerized by how Margot Lasher shares her observations about relationships, and how these precious connections support our daily lives in various ways. The author embraces and honors her interactions with animals and how attuned she is with them.

 There are three reasons why I cherish this unique read. First, her stories are riveting. Once you begin reading one of her intriguing anecdotes, you cannot put it down. Secondly, her insights are infused with wisdom, intuition and knowledge. She is a keen observer of everyone around her. Finally, her brief powerful poetical descriptions caress the heart and inspire the mind.

 “In New England after a snowstorm, the sun comes out and the trees and ground and houses and ponds are all shining in whiteness. You walk outside and you feel a deep happiness at being alive. You feel awe in the presence of such beauty, and privileged to be part of this incredible setting. It stretches out like the night sky, sunlight touching snow in every direction. In this world you feel happy and blessed just to be alive. You feel the connectedness, the oneness of everything. You feel love for everything. I think animals feel this boundless love. Everything is full of wonder; everything makes them happy. Everything is an adventure in being alive.”

Her words encourage us to seek peace within ourselves, to dive into our source of  strength and power.

 “From feeling happy with an animal, you gain a deeper awareness of your own happiness. When you and an animal are together in the feeling of happiness, echoing the happiness between you, the feeling takes on a new richness and depth. Pure happiness echoes within and between you.”

The energy of Lasher’s book leaves an indelible imprint in my mind.

“When you are experiencing the fragrance of a flower, the motion of your own body, or the happiness of an animal, you are experiencing awareness. When you are tuned in, completely focused, you are one with the fragrance, the motion, the happiness. You are the awareness. The core of yourself is your awareness. The nature of animals is pure awareness.”

 

  And the Animals will Teach You offers an exquisite journey for the mind, vivid sceneries, and stories that reveal the wonders of transformation, protection and friendship; along this path, Lasher guides us into our inner wisdom. Her experiences explore the depth of communication with animals, the nature of living in harmony.

“Animals are tuned exquisitely to harmony. Awareness of harmony is awareness of the energy of the whole. Animals live essentially in harmony.”

 Margot Lasher is a psychologist who specializes in relational theory. She has taught many workshops on empathy, and is also the author of The Art and Practice of Compassion and Empathy.

  If you enjoyed this post, you will appreciate my writing on Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals by Jonathan Balcombe.

Gaia's Own: Every Child's Guide to Living in Harmony with Nature

 

“If you truly get in touch with a piece of carrot, you get in touch with the soil, the rain, the sunshine. You get in touch with Mother Earth, and eating in such a way, you feel in touch with true life, your roots, and that is meditation. If we choose every morsel of food in that way we become grateful, and when you are grateful, you are happy.” 

Thich Nhat Hanh

 The delightful exchange of letters between a grandfather and his empathetic grandchild can teach us a lot about life. Gratitude is the essence of a happy existence, because it means that we take nothing for granted.

Gratitude was at the heart of many ancient cultures, including the ancient Celtic wisdom, which I wrote about in my previous post. Gaia teaches us this basic concept everyday, when we live in harmony with Mother Nature, but when the norm is to ignore basic principles of reciprocity, we abuse other living beings and the environment, and we harm everybody in the process.  

When we are thankful, we don’t take more than what we need. The troubles of humanity are the consequences of taking too much from Mother Nature—Gaia—and not giving back.

 

Today I am honored to write about Gaia’s Own, a book by Dharshana Bajaj, a writer and artist from India. In the exchange of letters between Satvika and her grandpa, a wildlife photographer, we gain insights and learn facts. Above all, we are inspired to make choices that support our authentic self, health and Mother Nature. Some people live under the delusion of separation. This book will help them to dissolve such a delusion.

 This is an educational, thorough and entertaining read that will guide every child and teenager toward an existence of love and health. It will encourage them to get creative as well, to respond to the challenges they will be facing throughout their lives.

I highly recommend Gaia’s Own: Every Child’s Guide to Living in Harmony with Nature to educators and parents. 

 Children have the potential to understand things better. Unlike adults, they are not detached from their environment and the truth about how everything is connected. Fostering their inquisitve minds should be part of their education; it is important to cultivate curiosity along with compassion, instead of stifling them. This is why this book should be shared widely in schools. Our future depends on it.

Leonardo Da Vinci was ahead of his times when he developed the idea of harnessing solar power. His authenticity was fully expressed through painting, writing, architecture, engineering and ideas that continue to be relevant today. A rigid mindset would have restrained his creative power, but Da Vinci’s works required an open-minded approach to learn continuously and thrive.

 

 I learned a lot from this comprehensive book (Gaia’s Own). I did not know that countries like Paraguay, Albania and Iceland only use renewable sources of energy to satisfy their electricity needs. I did not know that India is the world’s third largest producer of renewable energy (solar, wind, small hydro, bio-power).

 I was thrilled to know that farmers in Japan managed to save the cranes from extinction through their caring thoughtful actions:

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/trying-to-save-the-red-crowned-cranes-of-japan

We all play a role in healing the planet through conscious efforts, creative ideas and mindful choices. There is a massive extinction crisis going on, and those who believe that it will not affect humanity are choosing a path of dangerous denial. This is happening right now. If the deniers truly understood how we are all interconnected, they would fathom that the survival of humanity is at stake. 

 “If you really think the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.” Guy R. McPherson.

800 million people go hungry everyday in our planet. Yet thirty percent of the world’ s food is trashed. In the USA alone, 40 millions tons of food are wasted every year. The Global Hunger Index is calculated based on the number of people who are undernourished and the number of children under five who are underweight. Congo, Haiti, Zambia, Yemen, Madagascar, Burundi and Chad have the highest scores ( between 30 and 40). India has a score of 26. Somalia has the highest score: 50

 On the other hand, all these countries are on the receiving end of tons of electronic waste dumped into them by some of the most developed countries, like USA, Britain and Germany, so in addition to dealing with hunger, they contend with pollution from outside sources.

 This book brings to our consciousness issues that are routinely ignored. Raising awareness on the intricate ways through which we are all connected is necessary to inspire people to make responsible choices and to develop new sustainable solutions.

 Those who work on the update of technologies should also be tackling the problems of sustainability in technology as a fundamental component of it. Overconsumption destroys lives; greed kills. We have destroyed the balance that allows us to live in harmony with Mother Nature.

 We need to restore this balance.

 We cannot extricate ourselves from reality, no matter how hard they try to distract us with trips to the moon and to other planets.

 

 “Trees are the oldest life forms on earth, making up over 80 percent of the global biomass. They provide millions with nourishment. We get our wood, herbs, medicine from trees. Trees hold the soil in place, preventing soil erosion and landslides. They help in carbon sequestration and produce oxygen we all need to make life possible. They reduce air pollution, heat and gases that cause the greenhouse effect. They are home to millions of animals, insects and birds.”

 Healthy forests are necessary for the oceans as well, and I explained it when I reviewed To Speak for the Trees. Without healthy forests, we will annihilate the fish, the whales, the dolphins…

  With the burning of fossil fuels, which is also responsible for the production of plastic, we disrupt the health of forests and oceans. Industrialization has led to an exponential increase of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. A simple graph shows the increase over time. These gases trap heat.

 By the same token, this increase correlates with the rise of global temperatures and climate change.

 My simple question is this: does anybody believe that we will survive as a species after destroying the ecosystems of Mother Nature? 

  I cherish Satvika’s grandfather’s wisdom, and I hope it will reach many hearts and minds across the world.

 “We are all interconnected with each other and everything else in Nature, so keep doing what you can. Spend as much time in Nature as you can and love her more. For she is you.”

 

 

I thank the author for kindly sharing “Gaia’s Own” for My Writing Life.

If you enjoyed this post, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it on social media.

 

 If you have a special interest in related topics, you can also read my posts on the following books:

UnlikelyFriendships

Eat for Life

Unlikely heroes

 

I put together a number of posts from other sites, related to the subject of this post:

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3481622-to-fight-inflation-we-must-fight-climate-change/

https://www.oneearth.org/regenerative-agriculture-can-play-a-key-role-in-combating-climate-change/

https://www.climaterealityproject.org/climate-101

https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/climate-change-and-women/

 

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/

 

https://ourworld.unu.edu/en/toxic-e-waste-dumped-in-poor-nations-says-united-nations

 

 

To Speak for the Trees

 

“Trees offer us the solution to nearly every problem facing humanity today, from defending against drug resistance to halting global temperature rise, and they are eager to share those answers. They do so even when we can’t or won’t hear them. We once knew how to listen. It is a skill we must remember.”

Diana Beresford-Kroeger

Gifted with an incredible memory since a very young age, soaking up the nectar of ancient Celtic wisdom, Diana grew up with a love for the natural world and an unquenchable curiosity to learn as much as she could about it.

 How can I communicate the marvel of diving into To Speak for the Trees?

 If you feel rejuvenated and cheerful when you immerse yourself in a forest, reading her words will be a unique experience, a wellspring of inspiration and an invitation to learn more about trees and the boreal forest.

 Her book illuminates our spirit with hope, but not the kind of hope based on empty words; it is the invigorating energy underpinned by scientific knowledge and creative ideas to work together to become part of the solution to the environmental crisis.

 Did you know that pine trees produce an atmospheric aerosol called pinene? The pinene molecules are easily absorbed by the skin and the lungs, and they have shown to boost the human immune system and to uplift the mood.

 “The beneficial effects of a twenty-minute pine forest walk will remain in the immune system’s memory for about thirty days.”

 

 The Druidic physicians considered the evergreen pine essential to health, and they prescribed walking in pine forests to support the health of the respiratory system. They called it “forest bathing”.

 Diana migrated to Canada from Ireland when her research prospects were limited. In Canada she endured new challenges.

 She was always motivated to learn about the natural world and to share her knowledge and research. As a courageous independent thinker, however, she was treated with derision and underestimated. Tired of the biases against her, she left the academic system in the 1980s and embarked on a new path of research.  She explains it well in these words: “I had the whole of my scientific education, a baseline of knowledge and technique against which I could measure and make sense of the things I observed. I had the freedom of being loosed from institutions, the room to be myself and chased what caught my curiosity without external interference. “

Her honest reflections resonate on many levels:

 “I had the solitude and desperation of existence on the margins, scary and sometimes painful emotions that have the power to strip you down until you’re just your raw essence and nothing more. I had my painter’s eye for beauty, which could draw me to a discovery just as surely as the orderly thinking achieved by reason. And I had the ancient knowledge of Lisheens and the view it had given me of nature as the sacred source of everything that’s needed to sustain ourselves and the planet.”

 Her love for trees led her to save several species. Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a botanist, medical biochemist, activist and author of various books. Her research and work strive to influence the way we interact with Nature.

 She had settled with her husband in Ontario, Canada, on a 160-acre area of land, where they planted trees and a vegetable garden; a place they care for in partnership with nature, without the use of pesticides.

Diana Beresford-Kroeger plays a vital role in the preservation of the boreal forest. She empowers each and every one of us to do our part to support the health of the planet and our own survival.

 “From my childhood in Lisheens, I’d been taught to freely share anything I was able to, especially my knowledge, and to always look for ways to improve the world around me.  I’d never had the money to engage in the type of philanthropy favored by the Marias of the world. Instead, I gave back through something called philanthropy of the mind, using my scientific knowledge and all the energy I could muster to advocate for any worthy cause that came through my door and to spread awareness of the issues nearest to my heart.”

   Diana’s scientific knowledge and ancient Celtic wisdom were augmented by the teachings she absorbed from the indigenous people of Canada. To Speak for the Trees unleashes the power of the mysterious world of trees.

 The first part of the book is about her childhood, youth, work and experiences interacting with Nature. The last few chapters focus on various species of trees with interesting facts about them. (Some of the trees included are elderberry, birch, blackhorn, aspen, oak and many others).

Her enthusiasm to understand the natural world is an endless endeavor that creates ripples of transformation to support the planet and our survival.

 She never gives up.

 “There is never a day spent outside that you don’t learn something. It might be something small, but that small thing might also be a key to something very big. The discovery of those small things and of the ways they connect to one another and ripple through the whole web of life—that is one of the true beauties of nature. That is what I sought to understand and cultivate.”

  If I asked you to explain a way in which trees support the health of the oceans, what would you say?

 You will probably mention that forests absorb a quarter of the amount of carbon dioxide generated by human beings. This is how forests help to curb the acidification of oceans caused by the burning of fossil fuels. After reading To Speak for the Trees, I should also tell you about a  beneficial effect of Mother Trees I had never heard of before.

 When the leaves of these trees fall in the autumn, they contain high amounts of fulvic acid. As the leaves decompose in the ground, the fulvic acid dissolves in the soil. Fulvic acid is rich in iron, and when this form of iron is flushed out into the oceans through rivers and other waterways, it helps to feed the phytoplankton, supporting the health of the ocean ecosystems.

 Everything in the planet is connected. Hence, the effects of Mother Trees extend into the oceans. This is why when those trees are cut down, fish die; ocean ecosystems are disrupted.  

 When Diana shares her childhood years, she also offers interesting information about the Celts and their history.

 The Celts were woodland people; their culture was born from the deciduous rainforests that covered much of the country in the past.  In the penal years, the British subjugated the Celts and destroyed these ancient forests with the purpose of severing the ties of the Celts with the roots of their culture and language.

“During the penal times, the Irish were not allowed to own trees or even certain seeds—they were only allowed to grow potatoes for food.”

 How can we listen to the trees?

Some people are more attuned to trees than others. Celtic cultures believed in the sentience of trees; many ancient cultures did too.

  I already wrote about ways through which trees communicate. However, I had never read anything about infrasound or silent sound from trees until I read To Speak for the Trees. These are sounds below the range of human hearing. They travel great distances, and they are also produced by elephants to communicate.

 How are trees related to these infrasounds? I wonder about it. Science does not know, but some research is emerging about sounds and plants:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7671032/

The mystery of trees… an endless exploration to observe, feel and ask questions.

 There is a documentary she made called Call of the Forest.

You can also learn more about Diana Beresford-Kroeger’s work by visiting her website.

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may welcome my writing on the following books:

The Ecological Gardener

 Finding the Mother Tree: discovering the wisdom of the forest

Butterflies: their natural history and diversity

Enjoy the offcial trailer of the documentary Call of the Forest: