A Special Bonding for Children from Researching and Writing
this Story About the Water Sprite with Roots
The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are
totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the
most precious thing we have, and we need to defend it.” ― David Attenborough
So what did I learn from researching ecosystems and the
special bonding I hope to pass on to children as they also learn about healthy
ecosystems for a healthy Earth for a healthy people.
Actually, I learned several factors that only grew in
significance the more the natural environment opened up.This is not the simple water cycle as first
envisioned from the ocean’s transpiration where it starts to the ocean’s runoff where it ends. In the middle, there are adventures drawn from co-inhabitants in an ecological
balance with a different connection around every bend. What I
learned will only help to increase my admiration of a walk in the woods by a
pond; or larger yet, the way I view our beautiful blue and finite planet. It is this journey I wish to share with young
people of all ages to create a special bonding and vision for a sustainable community for all species.
Let's start with the
A-List:
AMAZEMENT at the extraordinary biological diversity of life
forms that create their own interdependent communities on land and in
water. We are surrounded by such specialized
simple lifeforms called microorganisms that live in fresh water, which may be
only a handful of living cells but with the ability to sense, feed, propagate and even adapt as required; but without defenses against pollution.
Did
you know that only 3% of our planet’s water is drinkable where half of fresh
water is frozen in glaciers or underground? 97% of it is saltwater.
AWARENESS of the diversity of organic Life forms or
compounds containing the carbon molecule, the most common life matter on Earth.
The sun’s energy called photosynthesis can create a simple sugar molecule as
food for any carbon-based plant and animal by combining with water (two hydrogen
and one oxygen). Even the hydrocarbon
found in fossil fuels is filled with the sun’s energy which can be used as fuel
or manufactured into inert plastics; forever non-biodegradable.
Did you know that Americans throw away enough
plastic bottles in a week to encircle the Earth 5 time and that only 5% of Earth’s
population?
APPRECIATION of the numerous cycles required for ecology to
be balanced, from sun and water, to nutrients for primary plants, to animals and
even decomposing bacteria to recycle matter. For example, the nutrient cycle begins with minerals
that include carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen and water among others as these elements recycle to produce food
for the ecosystem. The water cycle is immemorial, continually recycling over
time. We all live in one huge watershed from beyond dinosaur times.
Did you know that the leading source of pollution in surface drinking water supplies is polluted rainwater runoff from household products (EPA)?
AFFINITY to the
wonder of a healthy ecosystem based on four functioning levels which help to
clean our water, recycle nutrients, maintain our soil, purify our air and
provide us with food and shelter. Every chapter
shows how anything that affects one part of our ecosystem will in turn affect
others … from the very smallest to the largest. There is a strong link to an
ECOLOGY ETHIC where exponential growth is not possible. Nature is not to be
contradicted but integrated within our common humanity.
Do we have a moral obligation to leave an
environment worthwhile to live in for our children?
ACCOMPLISHMENT by introducing characters who can relate
their experiences of integration and interdependence within their special
systems. Many interesting characters who
are defined as micro-organisms really do exist in various water states; but for
a change, they are given a voice to talk about their thoughts and
fears. A few are imaginary creations in
their particular system like glaciers, oil lakes, and plastic manufacturing
factories; but all are connected to the water molecule.
So, on one hand, we can research a factual description of Ecosystems as
communities of organisms and non-living matter that interact together where a
damaged balance can cause many problems. Or, on the other hand, we can tell a
story of a sensitive water sprite with roots who lives through these encounters, imbalances, fears and hopes. He talks the walk through his mission of discovering cyclical truths from the sun to water to nutrients to plants to animals to decomposing bacteria to
respecting the biodiversity.
The hope is that the reader will form a special bonding with this main water sprite character; thereby, making an emotional connection
through his trials, tribulations and inclusions of all lives in a balanced
natural environment. As the water sprite falls in love, so will the readers in kinship and motivational affinity to protect Nature at its best.
“No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one
will care about what they have never experienced..” David
Attenborough
You are invited to check the story here:
Comments and questions are welcome and appreciated,
Sincerely,
Annemarie
amarie10@gmail.com
Two excerpts: "The mystery of this cycle has slowly unfolded. It's
about the power of the sun giving light energy to the chlorophyll in plant cells
to split the water molecule, and combine it with carbon to produce a simple sugar
compound as food for animals and humankinds. A cycle is what a cycle is; but
miss out one tiny piece like a chloroplast found within the chlorophyll, nothing is completed, and life is not possible.
So tiny, so simple, yet so complex."
"Also, maybe, there is some misunderstanding about what makes
a life-form; especially lesser and smaller beings than themselves. Maybe, being
so intelligent and progressive has made them short-sighted and narrow-minded
about their own groups only, and prejudiced against other communities which may
be different from them. Is this why pollution doesn’t matter to some? What if,
I think, amusingly, they can be referred to as kind humans rather than humankinds."
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| Attack by Giant Amoeba and Saved by A Rotifer |
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