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By contrast, humans, through a long process of evolution, have learned to store resources for later use but at the same time started to waste what they have. For example, many would take or order more food than they really need when dining out, waste water by always taking baths rather than showers, or eye more on the oil deposits in the Arctic than on its melting icebergs……
These exploitations have led to a collapsing ecosystem, which is facing an increasingly grave challenge against its capacity. And humans will be among the victims of such a dire future. The recent declining birthrate, Chiu pointed out, has indicated the law of Nature that when resources are unevenly distributed, humans, among all creatures, instinctively stop reproduction of new lives until a balanced ecosystem is restored.
Humans' confidence in “conquering the Nature” is just conceited self-assertion that ignores the insignificance of humans in the face of the Nature’s merciless revenge. In Chiu’s mind, the right attitude people should hold is to “conform to the Nature rather than conquer it.”
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As a volunteer interpreter, Chiu has viewed protecting natural resources as his calling. He would dissuade whomever hoses the roads without a sensible reason from doing it, and he sees discarding a paper towel without fully utilizing it as a waste. From interpreting for tourists in the national park to carrying his own utensils and handkerchiefs for each meal, Chiu consistently shows his respect and love for the Nature, and many people around him have been moved and influenced by his persistence.
How long haven’t you used a sun-dried handkerchief? Maybe it’s time for all of us to join the rank and love the Nature as Chiu does. Let’s pay our tribute to this unique volunteer by being an ecofriendly citizen of the Earth!
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Ching-yao Chiu
Since 1991 Chiu has joined Taipei Association of Nature Education (now Taiwan Association of Nature Education), and Wild Bird Society of Keelung, and has also become a volunteer interpreter for soil and water conservation. He has been a volunteer interpreter at Shei-Pa National Park since 1993. Chiu takes delight in sharing correct concepts about ecological education and health, and has fully dedicated himself to promoting environmental protection.
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