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For Immediate Release
The Crisis Identified in the Last
Child in the Woods Finds an Adult Remedy:
Friday Harbor, WA -June 27,- "A form of insanity grips modern, consumer-oriented, cultures, - a sickness that can only be cured by reconnecting with the natural world that nurtures us" reflects Dr. Charles Yaple, in his Editor's Column in Taproot, the Journal of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors at State University of New York, Cortland. Disputing the noted science writer, Alan Caruba, Yaple and his experts say that we have lost the sanity to bond with things of lasting value in nature so, out of sensory deprivation and frustration, we stressfully pursue endless temporary fixes. For this reason we suffer from anxiety, mental illness and the pollution produced by our inadequate substitutes for nature's perfection. Caruba disagrees. In his article, The Green Enemies of Progress in The Patriotist he says "The real threat to our lives are the Greens. There are other threats, but this evil anti-progress, anti-capitalist, anti-energy, anti-science, anti-God movement is the real cancer." Taproot introduces "Ecopsychology." an environmentally sound relationship building psychology, as an excellent tool to stop the "nature-deficit disorder," that Richard Louv identifies in his book Last Child in the Woods. Ecopsychology improves our well-being by safely reconnecting our thinking with the balancing and restorative powers of nature. It helps us sensuously reconnect our consciousness with the intelligent, restorative powers and spirit in natural systems around and within us. Taproot's lead article salutes Dr. Michael J. Cohen, the pioneering founder of Project NatureConnect who directs the course, job, grant and degree programs at the Institute of Global Education. The article, On All Nine Legs-Teaching Outdoor Love to an Indoor World, by Janet Thomas, explains how Cohen developed Organic Psychology, a healing way of thinking and feeling that improves relationships through thoughtful sensory contacts with nature. Cohen, author of The Web of Life Imperative (Trafford 2003), also offers strong nature sensitivity enabling tools in Taproot to help us consciously connect our thinking with the natural world's unifying grace and cooperative ways. Because we passionately support what we love, we personally and environmentally benefit from embracing the unifying beauty and intelligence of nature. Gatherings the Journal of the International Community for Ecopsychology, states, "This edition of Taproot makes a significant contribution to improving our relationship with ourselves and the environment." In disagreement, Caruba, declares Ecopsychology to be an absurd pseudo-science, a hogwash psychobabble about problems it alleges we cause by living extremely nature-separated lives. Cohen says, "Sadly, Mr. Caruba is a victim of socialization that trains us to believe the lies of our nature-exploitive ways. We must learn to live in balance with the self-sustaining soil, water, sunshine air, cooperation and regenerative relationships in nature that underlie our survival. "" As a Native American (Okanagan) Jeannette Armstrong, in her Taproot article, Keepers of the Earth, demonstrates the madness of our disconnection from nature and that our language reflects our insanity in comparison to forms of expression used in Okanagan. In their society, land and place have the same root syllable, not our arrogance (insanity) that the land is ours to exploit for endless natural resources. In her Obligation to Endure, article Sandra Steingraber outlines practical steps that most anyone can take to sanely make a difference and continue the good fight begun by the likes of Rachel Carson. Numerous book reviews, news, practical resources, contacts and forthcoming events that support Ecopsychology and Outdoor Education round out this issue of Taproot. It strengthens any individual who wants to help people enjoy personal and environmental sanity by co-creating it with nature. The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors, at the State University of New York, Cortland, is a non-profit network of environmental education centers, conservation and recreation organizations, schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses to support outdoor education. Contacts: Dr. Michael Cohen: 360-378-6313,
nature@interisland.net,
http://www.ecopsych.com
Dr. Charles Yaple: yaplec@cortland.edu http://www.outdooredcoalition.org Gatherings: http://www.ecopsychology.org/journal/ezine/gatherings.html Alan Caruba: http://www.patriotist.com/acarch/ac20031013b.htm Media Contact: |
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INSTITUTE OF GLOBAL EDUCATION Special NGO consultant United Nations Economic and Social Council
PROJECT NATURECONNECT
Readily available, online, natural science tools
for the health of person, planet and spiritP.O. Box 1605, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-378-6313 <email> www.ecopsych.com
ORGANIC ADVANCED ECOPSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION
The Natural Systems Thinking Process
Dr. Michael J. Cohen, Director
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