The term "Ecocide" first gained media attention after the Vietnam War when it became obvious that mans willful destruction of the IndoChinese ecosystems by means of chemical warfare had a serious impact on all that relied on this land for survival.
Approximately 20% of South Vietnam was destroyed by Agent Orange and its partner defoliants. Not only does the inherent herbicide, dioxin destroy the environment with immediate effect, but has a serious impact upon all species which are still being monitored 30 years later, as they potentially hurtle towards untimely extinction, such as the Giant Ibis and wild Asian Elephant. Other means of mass eco destruction included the bulldozing of jungles and Napalm induced forest fires.
Despite the horrendous implications of these acts of war against nature, very few countries include it in their penal law, Chenobyl being the first case in the Ukraine, where individuals responsible could face imprisonment for 8-15 years.
Princess Diana amongst others campaigned hard for more resolutions and common knowledge on landmines because of their effects on the human race but what of the wanton destruction of nature without which none of us could survive?
This is of course not a modern phenomenum, and cases of ecocide can be tracked throughout history. The most startling and evocative must surely be Easter Island located in the southeastern Pacific, where the original inhabitants deforested their island in the construction of enormous Y frames for the erection of their giant head statues. The reasons behind these monuments is another story entirely, but suffice to say their convictions created destitution for generations to come, as lack of forests led to lack of topsoil, and hence a lack of crops.
My interest in ecocide was ignited by an invitation to offer advice on ways to counteract the effects of ecocide within the Marshes of Iraq. This is the latest region to have suffered at the hands of war. An area that once supported people, their farm animals and an entire way of life was dislocated and cannot return until the foundations of this delicate aquatic ecosystem are found to be clean and chemical free. With the re-introduction of many species of particular grasses and reeds we can assist in redressing this devastation but the earth has been harmed and will take time to heal.
I only hope that as we become more aware to ecological issues and the demands we are putting on Mother Nature we can also find alternative ways to support our increasing populations as opposed to the slash and burn approach mankind has hitherto adopted.
You may or may not have heard about ‘Guerilla Gardening’, a relatively recent cultural phenomenon in the world of horticulture, and especially for Britain. Gardeners, both amateur and professional, are not well known for their political views, if anything gardening provides them with a welcome rest bite from the frantic pace of modern day life, and that most certainly includes the incessant wranglings of British politicians. However the rise in the popularity of the Green Movement, fuelled by the majority’s concerns for our planet’s disintegrating ecosystem and its ongoing destruction, has led to a uniquely inspiring and ideological change in the local environment of many cities across the length and breadth of Great Britain.
I first stumbled across the term ‘Guerilla Gardening’ whilst reading a copy of The Guardian newspaper on a well deserved lunch break (a rare privilege I must add), last April, and in all honesty I haven’t read much about it since. However, whist driving through Blackfriars Road this summer on the way to meet a client, I noticed a most welcome addition to the usual grey concrete expanse of the urban landscape. As I stopped at the traffic lights my eyes, rather bedazzled at first, were treated to a feast of Sunflowers, full grown and in flower, it was truly a sight to behold. I recently came across a few photos on Flickr submitted by GuerillaGardening.org I’d like to share with you, if only to dispel any concerns you may have that this is nothing more than a tall tale!
If you click the image you can more photos of this wonderful spectacle at Flickr.com, or perhaps you’d like to see more examples of this exciting phenomenon at the Flickr Guerilla Gardening Group?
Let’s make it clear, I’m not personally advocating a revolution as such, I wouldn’t want to be pulled up by the authorities over incitement or collusion in public unrest, however, you have to admit, it does afford a far better view than the usual smog-filled and rather lacklustre state approved horticulture you’ll come across in the big smoke? Essentially if people are going to protest about the environment I couldn’t imagine a better way of doing it, after all it’s nature, it’s natural, and I am sure for the majority of us it makes a welcome change from the usual litter, building sites, and graffiti we’ve all come across on our travels through the metropolis.
Other examples, include an apple tree planted close by to Westminster Bridge, which actually bore fruit (although I’m not sure if they’d have tasted too good considering the pollution!), a beautiful flower garden in downtown San Francisco, California, and even a small vegetable garden in a residential area of Hanover, Germany!
If you’d like to know more about guerilla gardening I’d advise you visit Guerilla Gardening.org, although do be careful, it is after all against the law, or at least local by-laws in this country (as well as many others). I would advise you take the advice of established guerilla gardeners at their site, and follow their well established code of conduct. For instance, one must consider the inconvenience caused, who has ownership of the land in question, and will you be able to maintain your horticultural masterpiece? It’s probably best to seek the permission of local authorities or private landowners involved, although I’m sure that true guerilla gardeners are rolling their eyes and shaking their heads at my last statement, I’d think it best to err on the side of caution!
