Often, in a consideration of America’s future relationship with nature, environmentalists are prone to evoke today’s children, and even the children yet-to-be-born. I’ve heard comments like “What will the future earth look like?” or “Think of the children.” The follow-up question of “what to think” about those children, of “what to think” about those yet-to-be-born is not often explored nor expressed. Theo Colborn does it. And in the clip below, Carl Safina takes this question of “what to think of the unborn” head on.

Ever consider the meaning of the word creation? What does it mean to you? I asked this question of Cal DeWitt, who considers its meaning in the context of his faith. His reply in the video clip below. I’ve also asked the question of E.O. Wilson, and most recently of Carl Safina, who each replied in the context of their secular world-view. Safina’s reply will be featured in my next blog entry.

“If you had as much fun stuff to do inside when you were a kid, you’d have been inside more too!” This is a memorable comment from an eleven year old boy to his father, an accomplished fisherman and outdoorsman here on the coast of Maine. That father is a friend of mine. His son, a friend of my son’s. Often, I’ve found myself mulling over its significance, within my own household. Pretty astute comment, actually. Aside from the lure of television, not much interesting DID happen inside when we were kids.

To care, we need to know. To know, we need to experience. If we cannot get outside enough, how will we ever care? Sometimes, a creative solution can bridge the generational and media gaps within a family. Like the one that the pastor Tri Robinson writes about in a chapter called The Garden Shed: Practical Ideas (from his book Saving God’s Green Earth).

“I asked people to enlarge personal pictures of them enjoying the outdoors and bring them to church for display in our lobby for an art exhibit. If people didn’t have any pictures, I encouraged them to get out there so they could take some.” Another way of knowing and talking about what’s happening outside.

I am reminded of what Cal DeWitt said to me about science. “Science is a way of knowing, a process, not a body of knowledge in its own right.” Many are in consensus on this point, but this agreement is often overlooked or misunderstood in the essential dialogue that needs to happen between scientists and people of faith. People of faith, of course, look at faith as a way of knowing the world -in part- but also as much, much more. This clip from Ed Wilson is a thought on how science can address the human degradations of the earth.

It seems that science, as a procedure-of-observation, should be considered the essential map of WHAT changes are happening and WHAT to do to about them. But I believe that scientific information alone will not reverse the ways that humans are wrecking the planet. Faith communities are essential for this reversal to happen.

Pardon the break in blogging…. now back. Our inquiry into America’s divorce from nature takes us squarely to the discussion of how to talk about nature, how to talk about the Creation, in language that makes sense to all involved. Two weeks ago, co-producer Josie Merck and I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Carl Safina. This was my second conversation with Carl. He is a keen thinker and writer who helps communicate the observations and conclusions of scientists who are working with the world’s oceans. Trained as a scientist himself, Carl understands this community and the significance of scientific procedure and findings. Our interview took place on the beach of Long Island Sound in front of the house of one of Carl’s gracious neighbors. We were way out at the tip of Long Island, near the town of Montauk. These are waters Carl has also spent a lot of time exploring as a fisherman.

Anyone who fishes or hunts or spends a lot of time outside knows the importance of patient observation. To care, no other training is required. If patient observation is done repeatedly by many people, in many different conditions, many common points of reference begin to emerge. On the ocean, these reference points might be noticing what fish show up in what waters…or… how often? What happens after a big rainfall? These kinds of common references are why experienced fishermen can talk with experienced marine biologists. If either has NOT put in the time outdoors, the conversation suffers and breaks down. Fishermen and scientists can also talk with people of faith about the ocean. If both care about Creation, and care enough to put in the time to know it, the conversation is fruitful. More than fruitful, I believe. This dialogue is essential. The right thing to do.

Carl shared the following with us:
“What is our relationship with the rest of what “IS” ? with the rest of Creation -if you wish- or the rest of the universe? Scientists are still trying to figure that out. Religious people are still trying to figure that out. The divergence has come because some scientists think that the answers and explanations don’t include a theological component. But what we’re really interested in still has a lot of overlap.”