In this episode of the TRUST series, meet Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, an 11-year-old boy from Boulder, Colorado. Xiuhtezcatl shares why he joined youth from across the country asking the courts to hear their lawsuit (Alec L., et al., v. Lisa P. Jackson, et al.), which is based on one of the most fundamental principles of civilized society: TRUST. Xiuhtezcatl asks that our atmosphere be protected, because he loves playing in Colorado’s mountains, forests, lakes, and streams and fears that the resources he most enjoys will not be there for his generation if we continue emitting carbon dioxide at current rates. Xiuhtezcatl shares, “The proof of climate change is everywhere I look. In my lifetime, the amount of forest killed by pine beetles has expanded. The number of acres burned has intensified. My generation is losing our forests. We are losing our homes. It’s not too late to ensure my generation has a livable future. But we need to listen to the science and act now.” Over a century ago, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that our federal government has an absolute legal duty to protect our essential common natural resources – such as our air and our water – for present and future generations. Our youth are simply asking our third branch of government to compel the legislative and executive branches to do their jobs. For more information about the lawsuits and other TRUST youth, please visit: www.ourchildrenstrust.org and www.witness.org
All posts in Conservation
During the summer of 2002, Kevin Collins spotted a humble little snake on Great Bird Island, Antigua. Initially, he thought little of the encounter. Years later, however, he discovered that this creature, known as the Antiguan racer, is one of the scarcest serpents in the world. Curious to learn more, he revisits Antigua and interviews several experts whose tireless efforts are catapulting the Antiguan racer from rarity to recovery.
The island of Rota contains the last viable population of Flying Foxes in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. This paradisiacal setting is also home to Rotanese Chamorros who have proud traditions stretching back many centuries. The Chamorro word for Fruit Bat is Fanihi and these beautiful and fascinating creatures hold a special place within the culture as a coveted delicacy. However, in recent decades bat populations have declined to critical levels because of the widespread use of guns and a heavy commercial demand for the increasingly rare delicacy. Specifically targeted to Rotanese Chamorros, this film is currently part of community based outreach efforts to increase awareness of the plight of the Fanihi on Rota.
In this episode of the TRUST Series, meet Jaime Lynn Butler, an 11-year-old Navajo artist, who recognizes the extreme difficulty this administration faces dealing with the current political climate crisis. On January 24, 2012, during the State of the Union address, President Obama recognized that, “The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change.” However, Jaime also recognizes the guaranteed consequences of climate change if America fails to do more than what is politically feasible. According to leading climate scientists, the Earth is in “imminent peril.” Should we fail to make a massive assault on CO2 pollution, the entire life-support system of our civilization and our species will begin to unravel. Because Jaime knows that human-induced climate change is a matter of carbon math, not carbon politics, Jaime is not only writing to President Obama and asking for assistance, she is also sharing her story with others so that we can visualize the urgent and unstoppable nature of human-induced climate change.
TRUST is a 10-part series about a perfect trifecta. The Public Trust Doctrine is a legal doctrine enshrined in the laws of every civilized government and holds governments accountable to protect the resources we share in common and depend on for our very survival. The principle of inter-generational justice is enshrined in international human rights law ? simply put, it means that the adults can’t have a party on the planet and leave it a mess for the kids. Combine the Public Trust Doctrine with the principles of intergenerational justice and passionate youth, who are fighting for their future in the courts and on the streets, and we have the perfect trifecta. Why? Because youth across the country are bringing legal actions – based on trust – against the federal and state governments, so we will open our eyes and protect our atmosphere and our futures with smart strategies rooted in science. In this episode of the TRUST Series, meet Nelson Kanuk, a 17-year old who learned how climate change was affecting his community and felt he could best help by sharing his story. In this 8-minute film, Nelson explains that the main problem facing the northern parts of the world is that winter is coming later and later. This results in increased erosion due to permafrost melt, increased flooding due to warmer temperatures, and intensified storms because the sea ice forms later in the season and is unable to provide a natural barrier for our coastal communities. This, in turn, leads in the loss of homes, communities, cultures, and a way of life. Go to http://ourchildrenstrust.org/ to learn more about the campaign.
The filmmaker’s two obsessions, reef animals and filmmaking, intersect in this brief glimpse at the world of reef aquaria.
This weekend TERRA will be taking off to California for an amazing event. The Bioneers conference is held once a year and offers thousands of people the chance to figure out how to grow their own food, reduce their impact on the environment, hear visionary thinkers talk, and learn how to make positive change for all! The TERRA crew will be interviewing plenary speakers, hearing what conference goers have to say, and getting behind the scenes with the people that make it all happen. It’s going to be a great trip — so tune in from Friday to Monday as we come to you live from San Rafael.
In Part three of “Ranching the New West” Duke Phillips tells us why he believes so strongly that cattle grazing is vital for the grasslands of the American West. There is a way to ranch that fits in with the natural system and replaces the wild systems that were there before. After all, Ranchers want to maintain a profitable industry and as Duke says: “If we’re going to stay in business we have to create a nature that is stronger tomorrow than it is today.”
In part two of “Ranching the New West”, we see the connection between family and land. Duke Phillips respects the heritage of his predecessors, and he’s passing along his knowledge and vision of holistic ranching to his children.
There’s a new model of ranching emerging that emphasizes a holistic view of the ranch as a multidimensional resource and not just a home for cattle. Duke Phillips of Colorado is a pioneer in this approach, which provides him with a viable living, but also aligns his mission with tourists, environmentalists, and much of the general public. His ranch is proving that the maximization of profits with disregard to all other concerns is not a requirement for a rewarding vocation and lifestyle. In part one of “Ranching the New West”, we see the sense of community that Duke talks about so eloquently.
