“If we truly put a value on biodiversity, we would live in a really, really different world.”
—Clover Hogan, youth climate activist and founder of Force of Nature

“Azzam Alwash’s stubborn persistence that proved experts wrong is needed everywhere, he believes. For our civilization to continue—if not our very existence—will demand vision that transcends conventional wisdom and boundaries.” 
—Alan Weisman

A blue jay’s wing feather is a remarkable sight. Finding one and using it as a bookmark for Alan Weisman’s new book, Hope Dies Last: Visionary People Across the World, Fighting to Find Us a Future, I was taken aback by its subtle blue and black pattern of colours that end with a flourish of striking white. Of course, countless animals have such odes to beauty, but this feather is one more proof of the inexhaustible creativity found throughout the natural world. Yet most humans fail to celebrate the stunning imagination of Nature, and indeed many have a reckless disregard for it.

Fortunately, others are working tirelessly to give Nature the help it needs. One such person is Azzam Alwash, who won the Goldman Environmental Prize for his invaluable contribution with other community members to bring back the fabled Mesopotamian Marshes in southern Iraq after Saddam Hussein diverted the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in his bid to destroy the enemies he believed were hiding in the marshes. This happened in 1993, and 20 years later, after an ecocide that seemed irreversible, Alwash’s headstrong commitment to replenish the Middle East’s largest wetland had already begun to bring back the impossible: water flowed once more, and to everyone’s astonishment myriad forms of life re-emerged. 

Many years previously I had read Wilfred Thesiger’s fabulous book The Marsh Arabs, which speaks so passionately about life in the Mesopotamian Marshes, so I was particularly interested in learning about the area’s resilience to the ecocide.

Another Earth hero, Rob Hopkins, a cofounder of the Transition Network, has striven to protect communities around the world that are threatened by climate breakdown caused by the burning of fossil fuels, by bringing people into community groups that provide inspiration to succeed locally. I have witnessed first-hand how these groups are able to make huge contributions to community involvement and resilience. Hopkins’ recent work focussing on the vital role of imagination to make our world truly a place of celebration is also an inspiration for many. https://transitionnetwork.org/

An extraordinary endeavour to bring before the world the plight of animals was initiated this year by THE HERDS. Setting out from Kinshasa, DRC in April to walk the 20,000km to the Arctic Circle with life-size articulated sculptured figures that mimic real animals in both appearance and mannerisms, the participants engaged thousands of people in an invigorating conversation and educational project. The work continues with Let the Wildness in, THE HERDS’ dynamic interactive education programme “designed to connect young minds with the wonders of Nature and the urgent need for climate action.” Visiting many diverse habitats, it takes students on “a journey through the world’s ecosystems, exploring the wildlife, challenges, and conservation efforts shaping our planet.” https://www.theherds.org

Marina Silva is Brazil’s minister of environment and climate change. She is an outspoken champion for biodiversity and for the protection of her native Amazonia. She has constantly been attacked by individuals in government and in industry for her staunch dedication to both democracy and Nature. Nevertheless, she has persisted and has been an inspiration for all women. “My place is the place to defend democracy,” she says. “My place is the place to defend the environment, to combat inequality, sustainable development, to protect biodiversity… My place is where all women should be.”

People like David Suzuki, Bill McKibben, David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have inspired millions to stand with Nature. I recommend many of McKibben’s books and have followed his unflagging passion to speak for the rights of Nature. His latest book, Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization, sings the praises of wind and solar energy. 

The journalists at Covering Climate Now and the 89% Project are letting people around the world know that they are not alone in voicing a resounding affirmation for Nature. https://tinyurl.com/cover-climate

And the United Nations is endeavouring to ensure that Nature receives the support it so desperately needs. Just last week the High Seas Treaty finally became law. “Covering more than two-thirds of the ocean, the agreement sets binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity,” explains UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The treaty is a monumental achievement by governments who have worked together for over two decades to bring it to fruition. In the next five years, countries must determine which areas will be designated Marine Protected Areas.

To add to this good news, this is Climate Week in New York City, the world’s largest climate gathering outside of COP, which brings together global leaders, innovators and communities “to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, fairer Nature.” You can watch the sessions live online at https://www.climateweeknyc.org/livestream or view the recordings at https://www.climateweeknyc.org/watch-demand-2025

Now it remains to be seen whether cooperation can supersede the anti-Nature tactics of a few countries. 

Of course, it is not only humans who are to be praised for their involvement with the rest of Nature. Earth’s flora and fauna provide all the proof of Nature’s ability, if only given the chance, to thrive under the most challenging of circumstances, with some stunning examples. Take the Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva), which can live for 5,000 years in the harsh conditions above 5,500 feet in altitude where there is hardly any soil to be found on many seemingly barren slopes. https://tinyurl.com/ancient-pines

On the first day of autumn this year, an all-too-rare monarch butterfly visited a flowering bush in my garden, clearly gathering her energy for the long flight to Mexico. She is one of several generations who will be born and die during the momentous two-way crossing, and she’ll be the one to complete the journey from eastern Canada. The epic migration of these beautiful insects is an extraordinary phenomenon that has existed for millions of years. 

A recent piece by Sam Davis in Resiliencemagazine entitled ”Guide to Becoming an Environmental Leader and Inspiring the Next Generation of Eco-defenders” is an adapted excerpt from his book Every Wild Voice: For Environmental Leaders, Both Present and Future. The article is an inspiring place to start if you, your friends and your family wish to act for Nature. It contains many excellent suggestions to enable us to move forward in the quest to become informed and take action. https://tinyurl.com/eco-defenders 

If you are an older person, you may wish to join Seniors for Climate, whose goal is to “build a Canada-wide community of seniors to create a liveable future.” Following successful involvement with Earth Day in April and the Draw the Line Global Days of Action last week, they are planning a Canada-wide day of climate action on October 1st, which is National Seniors Day. https://seniorsforclimate.org