The Creation

: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth
by E. O. Wilson, copyright 2006

The Creation ... is the greatest heritage, other than the reasoning mind itself, ever provided to humanity (page 61).

Sections of the book:

I. The Creation
A call for help and an invitation to visit the embattled natural world in the company of a biologist.

II. Decline and Redemption
Blinded by ignorance and self-absorption, humanity is destroying the creation. There is still time to assume the stewardship of the natural world that we owe to future human generations.

III. What Science Has Learned
Arguments for saving the rest of life are drawn from both religion and science. The relevant principles of biology, the key science in this discourse, are explained here.

IV. Teaching the Creation
The only way to save the diversity of life and come to peace with nature is through a widely shared knowledge of biology and what the findings of that science imply for the human condition.

V. Reaching Across
Science and religion are the two most powerful forces of society. Together they can save the creation.

Last Child in the Woods

: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

by Richard Louv, copyright 2005

"A sense of wonder and joy in nature should be at the very center of ecological literacy." -- page 221

The first part of this book asks, Why? Then Louv wants us to decide, How?

1. Why?

Why do we need nature?

.....for health, creativity, stress-relief, spirituality, finding future stewards of nature

Why are children not outside more?

.....time constraints, fear, changes in education, criminalization of nature

2. How?

How do we reunite children with nature?

.....nature as teacher, camp revival, decriminalizing natural play

How do we build a movement?

.....think green, believe in seeds, help good works take root, create a zoopolis

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Questions:

1. What direct experiences with nature did you have as a child?

2. Have the places for these experiences disappeared?

3. Are our children and grandchildren spending less time outdoors? Why?

4. Why is direct experience with the natural world so important for children?

5. What would be a good way to get children back to nature?

6. Do you have any ideas for fostering awareness of the human need for nature?

7. What hopeful things do you see happening in your own town or neighborhood?

8. How does direct experience with nature provide spirituality and promote sustainability?

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Blue Planet = http://pods.zaadz.com/blue_planet = used my idea,too