Action Round Up and Accolades

PatagoniaBy: Anthony J. Gerst

From Patagonia to the not-so-frozen Russian Tundra, unto the Brazilian tropical savannahs, the planet, “she be a changing, mate.” I consider it an honor to be writing for Planetsave. It is the freedom of pure expression that is the net-gem to be found here. Normally, when writing for this page, I narrow the focus down to a singular story. Within the feature blog I often present what I refer to as an activist’s listing. Today we will post an example of this writing style; remember, several of my blog postings are written this way. In today’s hustle and bustle so many of us seldom have the time to explore various avenues of activism; even we environmentalists are usually confined to a narrow focus of work within the field. So, upon occasion, I try and present a smorgasbord of actions in one location. Enjoy!

Once described as the land of the giants by Magellan, Patagonia, one of the richest and most diverse biological wonders on the planet, is in danger. With archaeological sites dating back to the 10th century BCE, recent discoveries would claim sites now go back as far as the 13th century BCE. This sparsely populated region of South America is interlaced with bogs, wetlands, rivers and coastal fjords. Not to mention the Alerce, a coniferous tree, the second largest living tree on the planet, the cypress forest of Guaitecas, and temperate rainforest home to many species found nowhere else on the globe. For instance we have the endangered puma, the huemul, and the fjords, which are used by blue whales, humpbacks, orcas, Chilean and black dolphins.

The government of Chili is in the process of wanting to construct a series of hydroelectric dams which will destroy a 1,200-mile expanse of this pristine ecologically needed CO2-reducing ecosystem. Part of this project would be undertaken by Brookfield Consortium, a Canadian company that would clear-cut a 1,400-mile path through many areas already designated natural preserves and parks. We are literally advancing human kind unto a precipice where no retreat is possible. When will we embrace an eco-friendly life style, realizing that we can still maintain a viable technological society; while we are at it, creating a global economic boom? One of the steps along this journey is to voice your concern in an effort to stop the above atrocity: www.savebiogems.org/patagonia/takeaction.

As an environmental writer I have a few regrets. One, the paper I use is not generated from Industrial Hemp. Two, that I cannot bring to you all the information that flows to me. Three, I can’t write about everything, so often this means prioritizing: in this battle it’s almost impossible to say one issue is above another, as they are all intertwined. So, as things escape along the linear equation we call time, one does their best to advance the cause of saving a planet from ourselves.

On September 21, the initial phase of a five-step process began, which has been battled for over the last seven-years by Ocean Conservancy and its partners. This project created the marine protected areas (MPAs) along the 1,100-mile drive along the scenic coastal highway of California. This is the first of its kind in our nation: kudos to California and their diverse array of citizenry. Having driven that highway I can say, to me anyway, there appears to be three states in one. Cali, you are indeed unique. To learn more about this great project go to the Ocean Conservancy’s page of resources.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida. He recently went head to head with Rodney Barreto Chair of the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) in an effort to block the downlisting of the manatee. One would think the Chair of the FWC would be fighting for this issue. We have so much work to undo from this current administration. Send the good Governor of Florida a message of accolades.

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