The Natural World - why should we care - On TODAY
- 13 Feb 07, 09:19 AM
Listen again to "The Conundrum of Biodiversity" - the 5th show in the series. 11.02 here on 大象传媒 Radio 4 FM & LW - or on demand here on this website.
What is so obvious is that many things we do as "just another species" on earth has a huge impact on our surroundings. The rate at which we are concreting the world around us, cultivating land, harvesting natural resources - pouring chemicals into the environment. Some of the biggest enviromnental questions of the day relate to what the long term effects of chemicals in the environment will be; how we arrest the loss of top soil around the world to the sea - And the environmental cost of economic development world-wide. Add to this the spectre of global warming and it appears the natural world on which we all depend is pretty stressed. In this programme we ask experts from around the world what is biodiversity and why we should bother with it. We discover that knowing more about the natural history of this earth points the way to solutions to combat the threats - And we hear that our own well being, our own survival, is bound irreversibly with the health of the natural world around us.
And brace your self for my next blog - Monastic life might have some very important things to say about how we conduct ourselves. Yes, monks are cool - And they arguably have something that is a beacon to us all. They certainly appreciate the value of the natural world......And they have something to say.
Update:
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We should care. There is only One Earth.
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Why should we care. BECAUSE WE WILL END UP DESTROYING OURSELVES, THROUGH MANKINDS GREED AND STATUS
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Certainly we need to expect change, dramatic change, unfortunately we have a different human population profile to the 14th century and other earlier changes. We would do well to attempt to grow out of the petty conflicts over 'religion' oil ideology etc because peoples will not consider changing their lives,culture etc while beset by such inter-nation or inter religion conflicts.
BM
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Climate change is always with us. It has given generations of Englishmen something to talk about. There is no convincing evidence of man-made warming and computer prognostications are utterly simplistic. We should not "care" to the point of ruining our economy but remain alert so as to adapt, if necessary, to any change.
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Was it just me or did anyone hear Bill Oddie on Radio 4 this week being interviewed about the planet and nature?
Wow was he rude, surly and patonising or what..#
Come on Bill Get a life...what was that about...and how embarrasing for the female interviewer...calling her a sub standard journalist...
wrong side of the bed Bill or have you really lost the plot??
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Hello,
I listened to the Radio 4 Springwatch programme tonight, Monday 28th May, and felt I should get my two penny worth in.
Every May Day bank holiday my mountaineering group go the Cuillins in Skye and, usually, camp in Glen Brittle. Being a city dweller it is not often that I hear the Cuckoo early. However, every year the Glen Brittle Cuckoo does not let me down. Can you imagine my delight when, this year, I arrived at 1.30am to hear the Cuckoo cuckooing away with that early Spring hiccough and continuing for the remainder of the night?
Being a city dweller is not all bad. My Glasgow home is surrounded by mature Limes. The Blackbirds have been singing all night since January and, since April, I have been treated to a full dawn chorus, often starting as early as 4am. My garden and feeders attract Dunnochs, Robins, Blackbirds, most species of Tits, Goldfinches, Siskins, Chaffinches and others, including flocks of passing Long Tail Tits. However, what has happened to the House Sparrows that made a brief appearance last year after eight years without a sighting? What has happened to the Song Thrushes that have been fairly common until now? What has happened to the Mistle Thrushes, two of which tried to nest somewhere near last year but, after prolonged battles with the Magpies, disappeared never to be seen again?
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I've enjoyed listening to the on-air diary, thank you.
PS Am in a far better temper now this lovely rain has arrived!
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