Man Is Not In Charge Of The Rainforests

Odd headline. Perhaps. More odd is the notion that man is the sole enemy of the tropical rain forests, or rather that the actions of man are the sole enemy of the rain forests. Ann McIlroy of the Toronto Globe & Mail recently wrote an article about some British research underway that included this clip:

"Early humans didn't start out walking on all fours like gorillas and then slowly straighten up, a team of British researchers says. Instead, our ancestors became two-footed while nimbly traversing tree branches in search of fruit. When ancient rain forests began to thin out, they jumped down from the trees and started walking on the ground."

Although the article, and indeed the research, is not about the rain forests, I found the reference to the thinning rain forests noteworthy as it describes a period of history that pre-dates man. Face it, folks, Mother Nature is rarely influenced by man and whatever her plan, she will execute it her own way and on her schedule, including her occasional thinning of the rain forests. Let's just deal with it - humans like to believe they have great influence on the plan, but are not always to blame for everything bad that happens. If, however, you want to believe that they are, do not blame it on being left or right of the political center - those you choose to blame are more likley not involved and it has never occurred to them to care.

And . . . . while you are contemplating this provocation, I will be kicking back observing the magic of Mother Nature - yes, it is magic to me as a human, regardless of whether I perceive it as good or bad. Peace.