Without nature and wildlife, humans would cease to exist. As a
species, we are becoming far more aware of the affect that our lifestyle
is having on the planet.
"An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore explains these problems
in a very clear manner, and it also offers simple, effective ways
for each and every single one of us to reduce the negative impact
on our environment.
We must create a balance between the needs of humans and of
nature and wildlife.
Let us all take responsibility together for what happens to
our home, and protect it for future generations.
If you haven't already watched Al Gore's DVD, please do so. We
are destroying our planet with our lifestyles and ignorance is not
an excuse.
Stop "Consumerology"
Since 1950 our roles in society have changed from being parents,
teachers, nurses, farmers, ... into that of being consumers.
Consumerology is the new religion that everyone is strongly encouraged
to aspire to.
We get bombarded by clever marketing (ads) that tells us how bad
we are. They promise us the perfect solution.
This treadmill never ends. Neither we nor the planet can keep up
with our rate of consumption, or the methods of production.
We need to change this!
This is a (6-min) clip of the full Story
of Stuff with Annie Leonard (20 minutes)
Watch "The
Story of Stuff" to learn more about how the products we
buy are manufactured, distributed and disposed of.
As with most problems, this can be addressed if we all change our
habits in good time. There are many things we can do to make a difference.
Some examples include:
Buy products that are designed to a last long time
Reduce our trash by not buying junk!
Only buy stuff that we NEED
Insist that businesses use scalable, sustainable designs (like
being able to upgrade computer processors without having to replace
the entire computer!)
Buy sustainable products instead of following the latest trends
in electronics or fashion
Buy second (or third) hand products
Insist that governments and business use greener methods for
supplying and utilizing energy
Insist that NO (or far less) toxins are used during production
and waste disposal
Protect our natural resources
We are blessed to have amazing people in our world, who
have dedicated their lives to savings other species from extinction and
to provide a world full of understanding, compassion and harmony.
Suni-Ridge
Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centre - Janet and
Rob Cuthbertson are avid conservationists and provide a wildlife sanctuary
to the wild animals and birds in and around Suni-Ridge. They also work
closely with the local Zulu communities to increase the awareness of how
important it is to protect our biodiversity and natural heritage.
Daphne Sheldrick of the Sheldrick
Wildlife Trust speaks about the affect of the ivory trade,
this video message is: (i) burn stockpiles and (ii) let elephant families
grow up together (14,15Mb)
Dr. Laurie Marker from the Cheetah
Conservation Fund speaks about their integrated livestock
& wildlife management program in Namibia (8,31Mb)
"No
Impact Man is my experiment with researching, developing and adopting
a way of life for me and my little family—one wife, one toddler,
one dog—to live in the heart of New York City while causing no net
environmental impact. To do this, we will decrease the things we do that
hurt the earth—make trash, cause carbon dioxide emissions, for example—and
increase the things we do that help the earth—clean up the banks
of the Hudson River, give money to charity, rescue sea birds, say."
