Robert Bateman Essays

In 2006, I discovered my wildlife art hero, Robert Bateman, had been writing down the talks he gives on a range of issues as an environmental spokesman.

The Robert Bateman Essays. I found them here, published on his website: http://collections.batemancentre.org/artists/notebooks

Bateman has introduced me a to a number of new ideas and movements from North America which I completely concur with. The balance of life is changing and not necessarily or always for the good.

Yes, there is more material wealth but with it comes a cost. Afluence has a cost. It is effecting our resisiliance to change and people are suffering. Such high investment requires a high yeald of return. Without that return, investment cannot be made into the next steps. Growth and development falters - and not just of the economic kind.

There were generations before mine for whom a strong connection to their environment was the norm but increasing costs of living and technological developments are making life difficult and rewards short-term. Resilience is hard to come by today.

Interestingly, the generations before mine, who were very out spoken about such issues, are beginning to find common ground. The ideas are coming together in a new movement. There is direction.

There are two ways to confront the controversial issues of our time. One is to campaign hard to reverse the negatives. The other is to create and promote positive alternatives, offering choice.

Nature Connection is one such a movement.