The Era of Human Ecology

 

By Tree Sturman COA class of '02

 

Ernie McMullen always turned on the radio during life drawing class, or at least he did that year.  I cannot remember which station he turned to, but I do remember him saying that morning that the music was intended "to relax the models."  The stupendous irony of his statement sticks with me still to this day. The class began at 8:30 a.m. and by 9:00 everything changed.  It was the morning of the eleventh of September, almost six years ago today. The events of that day, and of the months and years that followed have, I believe, shepherded in a new era - the Era of Human Ecology. 

 

Among the more positive lasting effects of 9/11/01 is a populous that is, generally speaking, more open minded to change than it has ever been in recent history. Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize winning crusade against global warming reinforces the immediate opportunities for affecting public action in support of a more sustainable environment. For those of us in the business of environmental education, "An Inconvenient Truth" marked a turning point in a six-year drought marked by inadequate funding and ecological attention deficit disorder on the part of US politicians.  Now that Gore and others have captured public attention, the funding and political leverage is beginning to return.

 

A social hairline fracture forged by 9/11 and expanded by "An Inconvenient Truth" has inspired US citizens to consider sacrificing their creature comforts for the sake of a better world. It is up to us as environmental leaders to convince the public to turn awareness into action.  If we fail to provide outlets for ordinary citizens to exercise their inclinations to " go green", then someone less informed or with ulterior motives will. I call upon the COA community to embrace a sense of urgency in preparing ourselves to lead and inspire change in this new era.   In the Era of Human Ecology, our unique expertise empowers us to bridge political and social divides and lead partnerships that harmonize human interests with environmental sustainability.

Since leaving COA, I have become a student of not-for-profit leadership.  I chose the not-for-profit sector because I believe these institutions are uniquely positioned to harness the power of environmental awareness and create lasting sustainable change within our society. Unbound by educational norms and political allegiances, not-for-profits are free to inspire learning in a true COA fashion- self-directed, experiential, holistic and ecologically minded.  Environmental not-for-profits use these tools to guide and inspire ecological literacy throughout all corners of US society. As investments in these organizations increase (and they are), the capacity for affecting change magnifies exponentially.  The tremendous power building within this not-for-profit sector has created a vacuum for leadership.   COA must stand up and fill this vacuum.

 

The hybrid car is back, alternate energy debates surge onward, and "sustainability" now shares air space with "diversity".  The solutions are present, but the implementation stands still.  The time for Human Ecology inspired leadership is upon us.  Let's keep our naked bike rides and our compost heaps, open mikes, and hikes through Acadia.  Let's continue to embrace our co-ops, Doc Bronners, and Carharts.  These are no doubt part of who we are. But to this identity we must add an emboldened commitment to applying Human Ecology on an even broader scale.  So as we ride our bicycles and turn our compost we must also set ourselves to studying the art and science leading to change.  Whatever your medium, take it upon yourself to enhance your communication skills, refine your strategic thinking, study your audiences, and learn from the recent history of this turbulent world.  The post 9/11 era has taught us that change --for better or worse-- is driven by the actions of a small number of people. There are many would be leaders among our peers, but none so well prepared as Human Ecologists to engage the environmental and social challenges ahead.   So the next time Ernie turns on the radio on a cool September morning, models and artists everywhere may relax in the knowledge that the COA community is leading a new era- the Era of Human Ecology.