Environmental destruction in the Natural World comes about as by-product to the ways that human beings attempt to meet their needs.  Distress in the Natural World is a sort of reflection of the corresponding human situation.  The healthy BIG PICTURE above assumes we Americans do collectively change our behavior because if we don't, the BIG PICTURE is going to look more like this. 

Getting to the best outcome cannot happen if we, as a Nation,  continue to do what we are already doing, consuming in ways that waste and pollute.  Getting to the best outcome can only be the result of proactive change taking place in the ways and means of our lives.  We can symbolize that change, in our model, by the act of putting the piece of the puzzle in place.

Start by thinking about one piece at a time.  The pieces of the puzzle fit like this.  The ways that people routinely get food (farming) are the primary cause of pollution in the waterways.  Farming and waterway health fit together.  If we were to put the FOOD piece of the puzzle in place as mostly local and small scale sources with Best Management Practices towards stewardship, Mother Nature responds by placing Her corresponding piece of the puzzle - to show good conditions in WATERS, the waterways.

A connection can be drawn between CLIMATE conditions in the Natural World, and our habits of burning fossil fuels as gasoline or for electricity.  The American Way of assembling our homes and neighborhoods creates a lifestyle of separation, one household from another; necessary cars and nearly vacant homes that still require climate control. 

What is a one-word way to sum up the aggregate of human needs we attempt to meet this way?  COMMUNITY would be it, except that by mainstream methods we seem intent on creating anything but.  The primary driving force in the mainstream design of home/lifestyle is to secure privacy for ourselves.  Privacy is another word for SAFETY.  Do you think Americans feel safe? 

A true meeting of the need for Community includes a system, like an immune system, to support the processes of peace and safety for its members.  That immune system is made of respect for basic human rights - even (especially) down to the most vulnerable members.  When safety is expressed through authentic COMMUNITY we are free to make co-housing or eco-village, where lots of sharing makes sense and use of cars can become mostly obsolete.  Reduce the burning of fossil fuels: heal the greenhouse effect and CLIMATE change.

Even though we may intellectually see that a change in our National consumeristic lifestyle is the answer to ecological problems, this cause and effect feedback loop is so big and so remote that it is hardly enough to support a change in our immediate ways of getting through the day.  It is only because there exists another feedback loop that is very much about direct and personal gratification, that we will be able to make the change.  Changing the first set of pieces strengthens us to move the next set: the third set takes shape easily at last. The real relationships between human need and ecology look more like this:

This BIG PICTURE model anticipates that when our whole human needs for food and safety are met, the last piece of the puzzle falls more easily in place.  Remove the major stresses of poor nutrition/food insecurity and lack of interpersonal safety,  and spiritual healing of people can become commonplace; where self-development, actualization, advancement and maturity can actually be reached.  Real fulfillment comes of being able to contribute from an authentic space: not from acquiring more and more disposable consumer goods. 

The context of this model is the foundation idea that human beings belong in Earth's eco-system, that there are ways for us to meet our basic needs without damaging our Natural World.  Further, built into this model is the notion that co-creative and sustainable behavior comes naturally  to people when basic human rights are supported, protected, and applied.  Life can be easier and a whole lot more fun.

Click on the puzzle piece that is WATER and see a Category Report Page.