Robert Bateman, Canadian naturalist and artist, suggests that the single most important thing that young people can do is to ask their parents to vote for "a politician with some backbone -- a politician who will not cave in to the special interests" and work toward a better environment.
In his book, Thinking Like a Mountain, Bateman outlines the ways in which we can pass on to succeeding generations the treasures that we value today.
"We all stand at the top of a mountain that offers us spectacular views in all directions. We have more knowledge of nature than any other civilization in history. We can look beyond the sky and beneath the sea. We can see both the forest and the trees: We can count the rate of its destruction and tote up the cost of saving it.
...All we need to do is pay attention and pay the price. I'd say the cost is more than worth it.
...Nature is resilient, but we are beginning to reach the limits of its endurance."*
"We all stand at the top of a mountain that offers us spectacular views in all directions. We have more knowledge of nature than any other civilization in history. We can look beyond the sky and beneath the sea. We can see both the forest and the trees: We can count the rate of its destruction and tote up the cost of saving it.
...All we need to do is pay attention and pay the price. I'd say the cost is more than worth it.
...Nature is resilient, but we are beginning to reach the limits of its endurance."*
His book, Safari, is dedicated to "...Young people everywhere: may you love nature ~ and protect it."
*Thinking Like a Mountain, 2000, Viking/Penguin books Ltd.;
*Thinking Like a Mountain, 2000, Viking/Penguin books Ltd.;
Safari, 1998, Madison Press
Photo: Lake Erie by Lorna
