Now we know. 

Gerorge Monbiot (2012) wrote concerning the environmental crisis that there is also a second environmental crisis: "the removal of children from the natural world". The crisis he explains is that we are at a crucial time where we need, need, to do something drastic concerning saving the natural environment, however at this crucial point in time the children of today are the very ones who are the most out of touch with nature and all its beauty saying "the young people we might have expected to lead the defense of nature have less and less to do with it" (2012). Not only is this a very sad thought, it's also a huge problem because the issues and concerns for the natural world, especially the ocean, will have drastic consequences in the near future, however they need to be acted upon now. Sylvia Earle stresses this need for immediate action to save the future of the ocean because as she explains, we've already taken so much, taken and not replenished (2009). Earle describes her underwater diving experiences as similar to astronauts in space, both expeditions involve the need for humans to change and adapt their behavior; their "life support system" (2009). Earle spoke of these "life support systems" from the perspective that we cannot continue to live as though we don't need the ocean or don't need the earth. As Earle explained "no blue. no green" meaning that the ocean is the very heart of the natural world, the world we are a part of, not exclusive from. It's the inter-connectedness that we need to focus on, the whales and the coral may not be able to protest parliaments and take action. The reefs and rivers cannot sign petitions or vote accordingly, but whales, fish and krill don't leak chemicals into the ocean. They don't spill chemicals down drains or drill for oil. This behavior Earle describes as interfering  "undermining food chains" (2009) that are naturally in place to sustain us. What we need to remember is that we need the ocean. We need to take the steps for our very own life source. We're not doing the whales or the fish 'favors' by saving them: we need them, as Earle says "health for the ocean means health for us" (2009).

As Earle puts so eloquently what is earth without water! Well indeed it is no earth at all! In fact it's Mars! And we can't live on Mars. We can't live in happiness, peace and beauty on Mars. So this is it. There's no other option, the raw reality is that the ocean is not an endless bounty of sushimi and california rolls, there are limits and we are pushing them. We've got to save the "blue heart of the planet" (2009).

These photos are my own. About a month ago I climbed the Q1 tower on the Gold Coast. It was an amazing experience. When I took these photos I was blown away by the contrast between the beauty of the ocean and the shoreline and the array of skyrises and man made sculpture. The contrast is truly amazing and while I am a proud member of the Gold Coast community, we need to think about this contrast from more than one dimension. We can be proud of the buildings and the architecture and the endless posssiblities for the future, but like Earle explains, with technology has come knowledge. With knowledge needs to come caring (2009). We've used technology to erect these high rise buildings and laugh at daily memes on our smart phones. It's time to use the same technology to give back to the ocean.



References:
Monbiot G. 2012. If children lose contact with nature they won't fight for it. The Guardian, Nov 19,http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/19/children-lose-contact-with-nature

Sylvia Earle: How to protect the oceans (TED Prize winner!)

Duration: (18:17)
User: tedtalksdirector - Added: 20/02/09

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43DuLcBFxoY