Righteous Indignation

The tension between minority indigenous populations and the "ruling" majority is a constant and challenging reality of the modern world. For example, here in the USA we have a sad legacy in regards to our national treatment of the Native American. Across the way, in China, nationalistic fervor and authoritarianism result in the systematic oppression of the "aborigines". William Harlan and Ryan Wylie have made an excellent short documentary of the conflict between the Raramuri, an indigenous group in Mexico, and commercial loggers. It provides an instructive example of the elusiveness of providing justice to the indigenous and of obtaining an equipoise between societal morality, preservation, and modernity in the setting of many years of fault.

Photo: Opening screen shot of the documentary, "Running For Their Lives".

Good Governance

The Dominican Republic and Haiti are two fascinating countries of compare and contrast. They both occupy the same island in the Caribbean, yet their fates have been much different. The Dominican Republic is well governed, democratic, peaceful, and a tourist destination. Haiti is disastrous on all these fronts. A look at the environmental devastation of Haiti is instructive.

Photo: Satellite photo of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic demonstrating the clear cutting of Haitian forest.

Pur vida...

It is difficult to pick a single picture to capture the ecohaven country of Costa Rica. I was fortunate enough to spend some there in February. It is a fascinating country in many respects, even outside of its stunning natural wonders. In fact, its politics (democratic and peaceful), lack of standing army, and relatively prosperity only add to the delight of it beaches, cloud forests, and people. However, no paradise is immune from the 3 R's: real estate, "retirement", and riches, and the battle for the heart, soul, and property of Costa Rica is well underway.

Photo: The still active Volcan Arenal in Costa Rica, taken February 2007.

Lake Victoria Triathlon

I "competed" in a triathlon for the first time last week as part of a team (I ran and please ignore the fact that we came in next to last). Lake Victoria is under significant environmental pressure, as are many water sources throughout the world. Running through the back roads of Africa, dirt paths, lush valleys, fascinated children, et al., reminds me of my runner friend Will Harlan, editor-in-chief of Blue Ridge Outdoors, and his wife, Emily Diznoff, a family physician and my magnificent friend since medical school. Together, they have been consistent, thoughtful friends of the environment for many years.