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In the long run it is
better to look at the big picture than be swept into the intricacies and
complexness on little things.
Yet, to understand such a large and
complex "big picture," the marine ecosystem and its surroundings,
the
little things are what defines the ecosystem. For example, the smallest
lichen; to a rodent;
to a bear; to a salmon; to the killer whale, all
benefit and are affected by changes in the environment and each other.
I
have learned that we should not litigate on the matters that are
affecting each one of these organisms,
but educate the people who do not
have an understanding of the effects we have on our ecosystem as a
whole.
It is easy to watch TV, or read, or even hear about chance whale
sightings, or encounters with bears,
or see a majestic bald eagle caress
the sky, but it is extremely invigorating when it happens to me as a
person and in our group.
It was best quoted that "two species cross
paths in a chance encounter." It is also easy to become opinionated on
an issue
such as the logging issue, it is not until you experience the
"slaughterhouse" and the processing center that you can
hear both sides
of a debatable story.
It is easy to pass judgment on what you don't know, but it is hard to
teach others of the lasting impression
an event either good,
encountering killer whales, or bad that although the deforestation is a
problem,
there is a concerted effort by the loggers, to take and give
back to the forest. This is not always expressed
in the media we have
come to know and love.
Learning is the first step, understanding is the second, and teaching
is the third. Yet even with these three criteria,
practicing what you
preach and involving others with you is the only gateway to
conservation.
Anthony Bloom |
