Editorial

In the Advance of Bucks County November, 18 1999

Good News on Earth Matters

We find ourselves living on and loving this planet of ours in challenging times. We are almost daily reminded that our Earth is suffering from a long list of virulent viruses. And yet at the same time, our consciousness is bombarded by the sensual delights of nature.

We are continually nurtured by the life-giving resources and awed by the inspirational guidance that our beautiful planet shares with us. When I ponder on earth matters, I sometimes feel like I am on an emotional pendulum that swings back and forth between despair and joy. I hear more frightening data on global warming / I see the earth bathed in the pink light of a sunset. I perceive a link between toxic air and water and the skyrocketing rate of cancer / I gratefully awaken to another healthy day hearing the sound of bird song as it drifts through my window

I read of the desertification of once fertile areas and depleted soil / I marvel at the musky smell of rain- washed earth and contemplate on the worm I find in a handful of dirt. I mourn the extinction of animal and plant species / I smile at the strong elegance of horses grazing in a local field. I question the fact that certain industries gobble up earth's resources / I take in the explosion of color from the bounty of a Pennsylvania harvest season.

A few years ago, I began to direct my concern about environmental degradation to learning how we humans can live in a sustainable manner on our once resource-full planet. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the good news that ordinary caring and concerned people like you and me are living in a manner that focuses on hope and creative solutions for what ails our society and infects our planet. I spoke with families who live in totally solar homes. I observed how straw bales can be used to build a well insulated home with quickly renewable resources. I began to be able to purchase more organically grown foods in our local food stores.

I can now order earth-friendly household products from companies such as Real Goods. And most recently, I learned that there is a conference held annually that brings together like-minded earth-concerned citizens.

I have just returned from the Pioneers Conference in San Francisco which is orchestrated by Kenny Ausubel and his partner Nina Simons. "Bioneers" is how Kenny describes biological pioneers who through solution-oriented actions have made great strides in earth restoration. It is the feeling of the Bioneers that instead of focusing on sustainability, we need at this point in time to go a step further and think in terms of restoration. The conference was attended by almost 2000 people from all over the world.

For three days, well respected speakers addressed the enthusiastic audience on a variety of topics. Fritjof Capra spoke of the importance of establishing what he calls eco-literacy programs in public schools. Examples of student involvement in community action programs were discussed. Paul Hawken revealed the principles off Natural Capitalism from his book of the same title. Hawken has convinced several CEOs of large corporations that they can actually increase their profits by becoming Sustainability Amory and Hunter Lovins presented examples of their successful bioremediation efforts. They have found natural solutions to cleaning up toxic areas. Heirloom gardeners spoke on the importance of preserving seed diversity. Organic farmers were thrilled with the overwhelming support of the public when the USDA proposed letting bioengineered produce be certified as organic. The emerging environmental health movement was represented by Mothers and Others, Dr. Larry Dossey, and Dr. Samuel Epstein. In addition, Native American Vision and Deep Ecology were represented by John Mohawk, Matthew Fox, and Joanna Macey. The conference was rounded out by many others too numerous to mention.

I came home from the conference feeling enlightened and encouraged. And the best news is that Mr. Ausubel has consented to speak at a Harvest Luncheon at Langhorne Heritage Farm on November 22 from 11:45 to 1:00. He will also speak to students and interested community members at Neshaminy High School that same day from 1:30 to 2:30. Kenny is stopping off between visits to New York and Philadelphia to promote Iroquois White Corn to local restaurants. The White Corn project is enabling Native Americans in upstate New York to preserve their native farming practices. If anyone in the community would like information on these events, you can call Connie Fenty at 215-757-1891. You may also learn more about the Bioneers from their web site: www.bioneers.org.