The Whole World

There is no challenge to be found in continuing attempts to educate the world about global warming. Even the residents of idyllic Swiss valleys are aware that there is a profound difference in the world. Not even ostriches can ignore the changes in their habitat. People that shout the impending disaster from their rooftops and those who just as loudly dispute their conclusions all agree on one thing. They agree that the weather is different.

Regardless of the effects of our actions on the next millennia, we have problems today. Everyone agrees that erosion is bad, sandstorms are bad, empty lakes are bad, heat waves are bad, and then there is the flooding. The “bad” events are easy to enumerate.

If we explore this problem as a simple equation, perhaps a solution is easier to find. As an example we shall examine “Erosion”:

(Deforestation+Overgrazing) x Ever present wind/rain=Erosion

Since the overwhelming consensus is that erosion is bad, how can we reverse this equation? First we eliminate the variables over which we have no control and focus on the variables that can be affected by human intervention.

Even if we brought together all parties involved in the dispute over “Global Warming” and allowed them to yammer at their loudest, we would not be able to alter the course of the wind/rain. So, I think we can conclude that the wind/rain variable is beyond the control of humans.

Next, let us consider Overgrazing. Since grazing is an activity guided largely by humans (we even “guide” the migrations of wild herds), we can conclude that humans can alter the pattern and location of grazing in order to control Overgrazing.

Finally let us consider Deforestation. Cutting trees is an activity performed largely by humans (we will not include beavers in this calculation). Since Deforestation is defined as “destroying a forest and replacing it with something else”, this variable also falls within the control of humans.

We can conclude that since two out of three variables contributing to “Erosion” are within the control of humans, humans have the ability to alter the equation and reverse “Erosion”.

When considering the ability of humans to alter these two variables, we must also include a variable of significant importance to the human participation: Profit. The entire (or almost all of us) population of the world has moved beyond the “hunter/gatherer” lifestyle. The percent of the global population that is able to support their lives and their families 100% from their own efforts from their own land/range/territory without needing ANYTHING from trade with other people is pitifully close to zero. Where there is a need for trade, there is a need for profit.

Profit is not evil, it just means that the efforts of another person are valued and compensation for those efforts is traded for the objects produced. I don’t have time to grow the fresh tomatoes that I love and I will gladly express my gratitude to the wonderful people who grew them for me. They want a new barn and will use my appreciation (and that of many others) to acquire the materials that their farm does not provide and will express their appreciation for the beautiful steel building. My appreciation of their tomatoes has made the steel building company happier.

Everyone wants something. As long as it brings no harm, why not help them realize their dreams?

People need to be appreciated enough to feed and educate their children. They need to appreciate that they have a role to play that is just as valuable as the most brilliant scientist. The hand that plants the tree should be valued and given the opportunity to let the tree grow without the desperate need to cut the seedling in order to survive one more day.

For landowners to replant and reverse the deforestation and overgrazing, they must earn a decent living. They must have support and funding and a market for their crop. These are not abstract theorems or unequal equations. Forestry and timber management were good business when the land was deforested. The error occurred when the reforestation did not occur.

The U.C.I.C. plan for global reforestation is capable of correcting a variety of errors that have occurred in resource management on a scale that is difficult to believe. Reforestation of a region gains momentum and the native habitat has been known to take spontaneous leaps towards restoration of species thought to be extinct.

The process of destruction gains momentum when allowed to continue and can be as terrifying and riveting as a lava flow. When brought to bear with resolute force, restoration is able to bridge the gap of our indifference with awe and amazement that is far more satisfying. Destruction and restoration are the global ying and yang of love and hate, the eternal circle. The balance is the ultimate beauty.

We survive together with hope or we die together with strife.