This week, the blog topic is degradation. I’m asking our interviewees to speak to three ways that humans have degraded the earth; destruction of biodiversity, human-induced climate change, and the introduction of synthetic chemicals into nature. In the raw clip below, scientist and environmental health analyst Theo Colborn speaks about the trace pervasiveness of one kind of synthetic chemical, collectively called PFCs (Perfluorinated Compounds). We filmed her while she was sitting near her beloved Black Canyon in Colorado. Ironically, PFCs were developed to keep things we value from being degraded, to keep things from being destroyed or damaged by water or fire.

Destructive loss of property and loved ones via water and fire can evoke great pain and confusion. But what are the costs of building things that can’t perish in the flood or be burnt in the fire?

Posted on June 30th, 2009 in Environmentalists, Scientists