Variety is the Spice of Earth

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Why are so many people teaching and preaching a “way” for us to go to preserve the planet? They are missing one of the most important principles of nature: variety is the key to survival of a population.

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There are two types of variety that we should not only accept, but embrace.

All organisms need an environment rich in diversity of plant, animal and microbial life. The stability of the ecosystem depends on plants that take carbon dioxide from the air to produce food, and, in so doing, release oxygen into the atmosphere. Animals use the oxygen to “burn” their food fuel to stay alive, and in so doing release carbon dioxide back to the plants. Microbes can do either, and will also cause dead organisms to decay, reducing all materials to a form that can be used again. The greater the variety, the more stable the ecosystem will be. Competition for the resources in an area controls the size of the populations present. If there are ample resources, life will thrive.

Enter man. What is our worse environmental practice? It is simplifying the environment.

Our highways and cities with skyscrapers may look extremely complex, but the number of species in a city is much lower than the number that originally lived in the area. And, on our farms, we plant acre after acre of a single crop, which practically wipes out competition within that area. The only animals that remain are those that can feed off of the crop. Because there is so much food, that population grows exponentially and becomes a pest population. They weren’t pests in small numbers. We make them pests by changing the environment. Then, we have to spend money, time, and energy to keep the pests from feasting at the banquet that we laid out for them in the first place! We may even have to resort to the use of poisons to keep them from eating our food. (Organic farms escape this scenario by rotating crops or planting a variety of crops in the same fields, keeping a variety of animals that compete and maintain small populations.)

What happens to the animals that can’t feed on our crop? They migrate to find food or they die. (Please note: Extinctions are a natural part of our planet's history, with the majority of extinction events occuring prior to the arrival of humans! Are we going against nature when we try to prevent extinctions?)

Therefore, the WORST thing that the government could ask us to do would be to do the same thing! If we ALL drive the same kind of car, use the same kind of light bulb, have the same kind of effect on the environment, we will simplify it even more and weaken the natural forces of survival.

Another kind of variety that is essential for life to continue on Earth is genetic diversity. Differences in individuals are necessary for the survival of the population.

Here’s a scenario. Little furry animals live in an area. An ice age is coming. What can they do to survive it? Invariably, someone will answer saying, “They will grow thicker hair.” Do me a favor. Stand up right now and grow thicker hair. You can’t. No animal can unless it has the genes to do so like dogs or Arctic hares that grow thicker hair during the winter and shed it during the spring.

But, in every population, there is variety. Some little animals naturally have thicker hair and some have thinner hair. If the ice age hits, the thin-haired animals die or move away leaving only the thick-haired animals behind. Since dead animals can’t make babies, only the thick-haired animals contribute genes to the next generation. Most of the babies will be like their parents, so, over time, the population (not an individual) changes. It no longer has thin-haired members. It will, however, have some that are thicker than others!

If your teacher told you that some fish flopped out of a pond and grew legs, forget it! That teacher was wrong. No scientist ever said that. No one with any sense believes that. Populations, not individuals, change as they adjust to environmental change.

So, again, the worst thing that we could be advised to do would be to strive to be alike. Humans would be much more likely to become extinct if we were selected by government mandate for certain characteristics. The use of abortions, eugenics, euthanasia, sex/gene selection, cloning and other processes would greatly weaken our genetic strength.

If we want to keep Earth healthy, we need to stop going against nature and let the human species compete in a variety of ways, using a variety of resources. Period.

Carol Kelly (B.S.-University of Montevallo; M.Ed.- Auburn University) taught environmental biology for 20 years at Auburn University and with Montgomery Public Schools (Alabama).

Living Green

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No one really knows if the affect we have on carbon dioxide or methane production will spell our doom. In the 1950’s, there were climate irregularities that were blamed on the communists and bombs! We’ve only been keeping weather data for 150 years or less, and we’ve only begun to interpret it. Computer models for the Greenhouse Effect are built on computer models for nuclear winter and dinosaur extinction. We’ve not experience nuclear winter and we were not on the earth to record dinosaur extinction. Scientists are doing the best they can, but they disagree.

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I taught environmental biology and ecology for over 25 years on both the high school and college level, and have been the keynote speaker for Earth Day and Arbor Day events in central Alabama. I’ve also worked with community organizations interested in ‘greening’ their activities. We know human activities affect our environment, and we know how to live green, live wisely. I don’t advocate that anyone try everything, but pick a few and make a difference!

In the yard:

• Use a mulching mower so that nutrients aren’t bagged and sent to the landfill.
• A good stand of grass will choke out weeds, so go easy on the chemical weed killers.
• Old newspapers can be used under pine straw to prevent weeds in shrubs and garden areas.
• Put movement sensors on outdoor lights, or use solar lighting.
• Start a compost heap for yard wastes, kitchen wastes and newspaper strips.
• Plant deciduous trees near the house and coniferous away from the house, to let sunlight warm you in the winter.
• Let shrubs grow large against the house if you have high summer cooling bills. Trim them back if your power bills are highest during cold winters.

In the laundry room:

• Use half the recommended amounts of detergents and additives.
• Try non-chemical laundry balls instead of more detergents.
• Use liquids so you won’t inhale powders in the air.
• Buy low phosphate detergents.
• Wash in cold water.
• Hang clothes to dry.
• Buy clothing that doesn’t need ironing.

In the kitchen:

• Purchase energy efficient appliances.
• If you use but a few dishes/utensils a day, hand wash and air dry them.
• Buy foods with little packaging, like fresh produce or bulk sizes.
• Take bags with you to the grocery store (or any store).
• Keep organic wastes separate for a compost heap to fertilize gardens and beds.
• Purchase reusable plastic containers for leftovers instead of disposable plastic bags.
• Buy ‘pick a size’ paper towels.

In the bathroom:

• Purchase a low-flow shower head.
• Purchase a toilet with a small tank, or put a plastic bottle full of water in the tank.
• Use pump sprays instead of aerosol cans. Recycle the containers.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
• Re-use towels (at least once).
• Wet, lather, rinse…and do not repeat. Instructions for most products are to make you run out fast and buy more.
• Reduce your shower time or lower the level of water in the tub. If you must, savor the time and water once a week.
• Use more ‘elbow grease’ to clean and scour, and less bleach-type products.
• Rinse disposable diapers. Read the directions for their use and follow them.

In the garage/car:

• Buy fuel-efficient cars.
• Travel the speed limit to conserve gasoline.
• Be faithful to the recommended maintenance schedule.
• Sweep carports, patios and pool aprons instead of cleaning them with the power nozzle on the hose.

In the bedroom:

• Use contraception/birth control. Plan your family.
• Turn the television off when you are sleeping or out of the room.
• Remove plastic from dry-cleaned clothes immediately.

In the home:

• Install ceiling fans.
• Use devices that will automatically turn equipment off if no one is in the room.
• Install solar screens or storm windows, especially on east and west facing windows.
• Set thermostats to allow you to be comfortable in sweaters during the winter and tanks during the summer.
• Participate in your community’s recycling programs.
• Put entertainment equipment and chargers on power strips that can be turned off at night.
• Purchase energy efficient light bulbs. Turn lights off if not in use.
• Increase insulation in outside walls and attics.

If you want to know why these practices are recommended, post a comment and I’ll be glad to elaborate. By adopting such practices, you will not only ‘save the planet,’ but you will save your pocketbook as well! Right now, most Americans need every penny that they can squeeze!