[kitchencabinetforum] FROM HAIKU HERMAN WITH LOVE!

A Latin expression says Natura magister artis. In my case, nature is indeed a teacher of art. It is a major source of inspiration, the basis for the haiku poems I write. But nature also offers me a
perspective of continuity, in a world where everything changes fast.

We actually have no excuse not to protect nature, we have many reasons to do it. Let me give some:

* First of all, there is certainly - as I explained it for myself – an emotional argument: nature plays a role in our mental well-being.

* Second, ethically. We have the moral duty to take care of what we have received. Nature is not just something to admire from time to time. We have to adapt our lifestyles to limit the damage we cause.

* Thirdly, socially. What may sound as a luxury for the rich, is certainly a necessity for the poor.

* Fourthly, economically. Our lands, our seas deliver fish, raw materials, fresh water. Nature generates tourism and research.

I do not look down on those who favor protection of nature for economic reasons, out of selfinterest rather than for green idealism. The importance is that we do protect nature, more than the
reasons why!

I post here today to give a sign to the world that protecting the environment is a must. Actually, the European Union has been given that sign already for decades, through the development of sound environmental policies. Europe is protecting biodiversity since more than 30 years, long before an international framework was set up.

Already in 1979 and later in 1992 we adopted crucial directives to protect vulnerable birds and other species. This had led to an
impressive network of 26.000 protected areas in Europe, an area of more than 850.000 square kilometers. This is almost one fifth of the EU's land area!

However, we see that halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 has not been possible. In March of this year, the Environment Council has defined new targets, endorsed by the European Council. Later this year, a strategy for concrete action will be presented by Commissioner Janez Potocnik.

In Europe, we have the political will to protect the environment, we have the budgets to stimulate it and the laws to enforce it. But results at global level are lacking. Harry Mulish - the well known Dutch novelist - said nature is different from art in the sense that there are no boundaries. Well, protecting nature can have no
boundaries either:

* First of all, protecting nature and the environment is a task for all of us: politicians can draw the rules of the game, but citizens, companies and all of us have to act. We need strong partnerships with you, civil society. I am glad to see that today many nature
conservation organizations are here us today.

* Secondly, we need commitment at world level. The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was a milestone. World leaders recognized for the first time that they have to act to protect the planet. But
we are almost 20 years later now, and this effort in multilateralism has yet to deliver.

* Thirdly, we need concrete action. Commitment is important, but not enough. Let me give an example in the field of climate change policy. The US indicated in Copenhagen to be committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but almost 1 year later, we see no action. At the other side, China is reluctant to sign up to internationally binding climate targets, but it does takes concrete actions. We have to recognize the value of this action.

Fourthly, we need resources. For the fight against climate change, developed countries have committed in Copenhagen to jointly provide 100 billion dollars, 72 billion Euros, in 2020. Also for biodiversity more resources will be needed. World leaders will have to reflect about new and innovative ways of finance. And the public and private sector will have to join efforts.

Basil Venitis, twitter.com/Venitis, has proven that climate change is heliogenic, not anthropogenic. Nevertheless, carbonmonger kleptocrats, using buzzwords like carbon footprint and clean energy, are growing a socialist movement that won't actually benefit Gaia, but will make our lives miserable, spreading the cancer of socialism. Temperature fluctuations are only due to Sun cycles, but are used as an antivenitist instrument, not a real object of interest for socialists who camouflage the environmental game.

Venitis notes global warming is due to a persistent 1,500 year heat cycle, extending back over one million years. Natural factors include continental drift, mountain formation, deviations of Earth's orbit, volcanic activity, and solar variability. For a human generation, solar variability is the most important factor of climate change.

There is hope on the horizon. I believe that the economic crisis offers opportunities for environment, even although the picture seems mixed. On the one hand, we see that tough economic situations limit resources for environment policies. Certainly in developing countries, the fight against poverty is even higher on the agenda.

And in Europe too, there is the argument that since the economic crisis has diminished the investment capacity of our companies, we cannot impose stronger climate targets now. On the other hand, we also see another logic or school of thought arising, a more promising one for environment. The economic crisis is now widely perceived as a
moment to rethink traditional economic approaches. And to invest in sustainable or green growth. This offers major opportunities for the environment.

Venitis asserts that climate scaremongers ask for an unprecedented socialistic control of our lives. Socialism camouflaged as environmentalism! Those who accept the alarmist view of anthropogenic climate change are marionettes of antivenitist pullpeddlers, socialist kleptocrats, producers of green technologies, agribusiness producing ethanol, and trading firms dealing in carbon emission rights. Climate scare is the main threat to freedom and prosperity we are facing today.

It happens from time to time that I end a post with a haiku. Now that I post here to show that nature matters, what else can I do than end with a haiku, or maybe two?

Stones in a globe for
natural diversity
a sign to the world.

From lots to little
From riches to scarcity
This spiral must stop.