Sometimes you just can't say no - and this course is one of those. The course author, Amber Hartley, is an active member of environment organizations such as Greenpeace and Defenders of Wildlife. She is also, in her own words, a "proponent of environmental and social accountability." This latest addition to the Environmental School at SuiteU is a most welcome and in-depth course, rounding out the contributions already in place.
Frighteningly, her course starts with a prediction from the Pentagon written in 2003 - which talks of the climatic shift of the weather and severe storms by 2005. As Katrina has just hit and devastated parts of Louisiana and Mississippi - these words send a chill down my spine - and I hang onto every word - not just from the report, but finding out what other organizations are doing about it to protect the North American continent.
Yes, the well-known groups such as Greenpeace are covered, but so are some lesser-known groups such as the Sierra club - which opts for clean water as a survival for the future.
Ms. Hartley continues her journey in Lesson Two with Animal Rescuers, and discusses three large organizations - Defenders of Wildlife, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, and All for Animals. She deftly explains their mission and chronicles some of their trials and tribulations. Her use of images throughout the course, by the way, is very thought provoking and personal at times.
By Lesson Three we are expanding our borders and now learning how other continents are dealing with the effects of infringement of native animal and habitat life. Ms. Hartley has a way with writing that draws us into a strange world yet make it seem real and alive. She does not mince words or actions here, and some may find the hunting of animals very queasy to read about - but she does it to prove her point. The recent Tsunami in south Asia shows again how important it is for us to have clean water available - and also shows us how we CAN bind together to help each other in a disaster.
Her final lesson deals with what she calls "Citizens and Visionaries". The League of Conservation Voters has been doing excellent work within Washington, by maneuvering through the maze of government red tape to try and ensure that conservation needs are dealt with and hopefully enacted upon. She quickly explains the dilemma of "The Roadless Area Conservation Rule" - why it helps, and why it's crumbling under political pressure.
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