It’s 100 seconds till midnight
That’s the time that the Doomsday Clock says it is. It sounds pretty ominous, and it is.
The Doomsday Clock is a symbol that represents the likelihood of a man-made global catastrophe, in the opinion of the members of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Maintained since 1947, the clock is a metaphor for threats to humanity – with climate change being considered one of the two biggest threats (nuclear war, the other). One hundred seconds is the closest we have ever been to ‘midnight’.
What’s this got to do with us? Well, just above everything. It means that we’re in a race against time for the restoration of the planet that we call home. We need to do right by nature – and fast. For us at Kauri Park it starts on the ground floor, getting our hands dirty, every day, planning, growing and delivering vital ecosystems up and down the country.
So, if you’re like us, you’ll be asking yourself this question – what’s the best way to make change happen at the speed it needs to happen? Well, the best way is to have a plan so let’s start there.
A time to reflect, re-set and restore
As we celebrate Matariki, and transition from longer nights into longer days, this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and plan for the year ahead. We all have the ability to affect change that will restore our land, so at this time we offer some things to consider:
Do you have a revegetation or restoration project that has been needing your attention?
Have you been mulling over the changes that need to happen in and around your land?
Do you have a guardianship role over ecosystems that need urgent protection and / or revitalisation?
A time for vision
Every great change starts with an audacious vision. What’s your vision? As you reflect and plan, we think it’s helpful to imagine and literally visualise how you want to see your land and your ecosystems change. Sometimes the best way is to put pen to paper and sketch out your environment and identify the dimensionality of the ecosystem you want to create. Ask yourself:
What’s are the key dynamics of water quality at play? What do I need to do to improve these?
What are the factors influencing soil quality? How can I put the principles of carbon farming / carbon sequestration into action?
What’s missing in this ecosystem? How can I plan for greater vitality and attract the most beneficial combination of local fauna and wildlife – pollinators, birds, insects, bees, fish etc?
Understand the change over time
Finally, look at how your vision plays out over time.
How does the ecosystem grow and evolve over a 3 year, 6 year, 9 year period?
Have I considered how the land might change – in its use, quality, size and shape?
Is my vision future-proofed? How can I plan for change?
All change requires a little time to strategise, visualise and plan. But we’ll finish as we started, by emphasising the need for pace. With 100 seconds till midnight, let us use our time well.
There’s a Chinese proverb that says “The best time to plan a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” So let’s start with a vision of restoration and let’s start our game plan now.
Happy Matariki to you and your whanau from us and ours.
Oh and a couple of reminders:
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