As a preservationist of open land and open seas, I have a great sense of personal stewardship- small farms like our own preserve what is rural in America. Taking lessons from animals in nature, seeking shelter in forests, caves, burrows under the earth, without destruction to the environment. People have set about to sprawl so rapidly from the first suburbs of the 1890's - people moved further apart - automobile and airplane traffic became heavier and heavier - industrialized became populated. Marine and land ecosystems have collapsed under the weight - as internal mechanisms malfunction, homeostasis is lost.
According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, "The composition of the atmosphere and soil, the cycling of nutrients through waterways, and many other ecological assets are all the result of living processes—and all are maintained and replenished by living ecosystems... For example, where farmlands under irrigation become saline, crop yields are reduced; this in turn may affect human nutritional security, child growth and development, and susceptibility to infectious diseases."
A return to the inner cities - rejuvenating old neighborhoods - parks created. Studies indicate that the more people relate to nature, the more they are likely to foster awareness and mitigate destruction of the natural environment.
Children are happiest when they are flapping in water, running across fields, caring for animals...I've seen it time and again. I've seen it with adults. Nature is part of us, and we part of it. While monetary goods and services can be uplifting, Nature touches the deepest part of us, and lifts us toward the sun!
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