TREES OF LIFE:FORESTS IN PERIL
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COMPLEXITY AND DIVERSITY!

1/20/2018

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​​​  ​​​​I just completed reading a book entitled, "The Future of Christianity and the Fate of Earth", by Dr. Thomas Berry. Dr. Berry is a celebrated author and "geologian", who brings the traditions of Christianity together with understanding of the required care for the entire story of creation! He presents a vision of the sacredness of the universe and the interrelationships between the Earth and Human communities. Dr. Berry, a scholar of world religions and cultures, taught for 25 years at Fordham University and published several books which present in-depth information on the complexity the natural world and it's relationships to the human dependency upon that world. His understanding of the evolutionary story of our multicultural human community is the result of his life-long interest in and commitment to Western history, religious traditions and an understanding that scientific advancement is the outgrowth of the Christian religious support. Understanding this relationship between Christian thought and modern day science is critical in appreciating the detailed complexity of our natural surroundings and understanding the relationships that these surroundings provide for our life cycles.
​Throughout my life, I have heard discussions over the concept of evolution between those that interpret the Biblical stories of creation and those that rely on the scientific data. Understanding the influence our Western religious beliefs had on the development of modern day scientific data, allows us to realize there is no conflict between the two systems. There are a few words that have been translated over the years that may suggest differences but, laying that aside, the stories are the same. One example is the word "dominion", which religious scholars today tell us the proper translation is "caring or stewardship".
Thomas goes on to explain the complexity of creation as a Universal community where life on Earth depends upon relationships we share with other planets such as the sun. "The whole universe together participates in the divine goodness more perfectly than any single creature". " The greater the differentiation the greater the perfection of the whole, since perfection is in the interaction of diversity; the extent of the diversity is the measure of perfection".
​As I expand my understanding of the Natural World, I begin to see the awesome complexity of our natural surroundings and the multitude of relationships we require for life. With over 15 Billion different species, all connected and required to complete the life cycle on our planet, I realize modern science is missing this necessary knowledge base. I realize more each day that cultures that lived close to nature had to understand these relationships so as to survive in this complex world. It is apparent that managing our remaining natural surroundings requires preserving and enhancing the DIVERSITY that was present in original creation! The science of forestry does not have an adequate understanding and focus on the complexity of individual forest communities and is continuing to destroy bio-diversity. Projected increases in our worldwide population will obviously continue the devastating human impacts we are experiencing through deforestation. Major changes must be implemented soon! Dr. Berry states; " Acceptance of the universe as a self-emergent evolutionary process is one of the greatest challenges facing the Western civilization in establishing an intellectual and religious life orientation". "We have therefore lost whatever intimacy we had previously with the surrounding universe".
​HUMANITY NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!
           
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January 02nd, 2018

1/2/2018

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​                                           Looking to 2018!

As we begin this new year, my hope is, we might expand our interest in what the future will bring. Our selfish greedy ways have been adversely impacting the natural world we depend upon for life, far too long. We are so focused on wealth and fluency, that we seem blind to the impacts we are having on our planet. Many, including several of our political leaders, are even unwilling to accept the fact that human demands are creating major environmental problems, some which may not reversible. There can be only one reason for ignoring the obvious facts that are rapidly destroying our natural world. We have allowed short term economic gains to become more important than long term adverse impacts on human life and, our political process is now focused on these economic short term goals! Frequently, while I was assigned to Legislative Affairs during the Reagan era, I over-heard politicians talking about their constituents, “as voters with very short memories”.  2017 has provided numerous examples that immediate gains now far outweigh long range problem resolutions. We are bragging about setting a record for the elimination of rules and regulations intended to protect our environment and to prolong life while we are ready to dispose of public assets such as; public forest and range lands, national parks and national monuments, by transferring them to the States where they will be sold to help balance budgets. We keep transferring major issues to the States where funding is inadequate and the number of tax payers to spread the costs over can be as small as a half million or as high as 40 million. State populations vary so widely that many are unable to provide the funding required for resolution of large issues and wide inconsistencies between states, attempting to solve the same issue can cause unacceptable and even detrimental impacts on the public. There is no question that as companies, corporations and public agencies expand the opportunity for in-efficiencies increases but, simply transferring the responsibility does not result in resolution.  Somehow, we must focus on problem definition, including magnitude and cost, before deciding what level of government can best implement an acceptable solution. Searching for solutions before agreeing on the problem, usually results in failure!  
The problem is; we are focused on the individual rather than the whole. Our worldwide corporations are focused on individual profits and individual’s success within the company, even religion is focused on redemption of the individual at the expense of creation. We educate our youth to succeed as individuals in a complex society, rather than the need for team solutions and public benefits. Our founding fathers set up a democratic system where elected representatives are supposed to solve issues for the good of the whole however, today’s political process appears to have changed direction considerably. Running for a political office today costs millions, even billions, resulting in the major focus now being on raising the funds required to win an election. The result has been to change the focus from the public to the individuals that provide the funding required to run a successful campaign. Even our science and technology tends to focus on new ways to improve our life style for the individual with little, if any, consideration for long term effects on the natural elements that sustain life. We continue to be told not to worry about the future as science and technology will provide the answers, yet history shows us that advancements in science and technology tends to accelerate the destruction of our life sustaining natural world!
What can we look forward too? Will we ever be able to change our selfish concerns for ourselves and begin to consider what this world will provide for future generations? Can we resolve to make a difference in 2018?
The changes we are talking about will take time, for there are no over-night fixes. Continuing with our current life styles will only limit or reduce our options and abilities to resolve life sustaining environmental issues! Time is working against us!  My hope is 2018 will provide the opportunity to convince more people of the importance of becoming involved in searching for the solutions that will improve the outlook for life on this planet! The story of creation is far more complex than most of us have ever considered, and requires in-depth study and understanding if we are to make logical choices for the future. We simply cannot properly manage our natural world for the benefit of human life, until we can appreciate our connection and dependency upon that natural world!
What can you do?  Search for truth and knowledge, spread the word, particularly to our youth and above all USE the power of your vote. MONEY MAY BE OVERLY INFLUENCING OUR CURRENT POLITICS BUT, MONEY CANNOT BUY OUR VOTES!
CHANGE WILL OCCUR WHEN WE FIND THE WISDOM TO RECOGNIZE MOTHER EARTH AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE, NOT A RESOURCE!!!
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