Flo and Brian Fisher visited
the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of South
America, as part of a vacation earlier this year.
Below, they share the contrast between the
Island’s bird and mammal species now and those
which in the 19th century led to the discoveries
of the mysteries of evolution by the brilliant
biologist and visionary, Charles Darwin. They
begin with a quote from Darwin’s journals:
"October 8th, 1845 – The natural
history of these islands is eminently curious,
and well deserves attention. Most of the organic
productions are aboriginal creations (endemic
species) found nowhere else; there is even a
difference between the inhabitants of the
different islands; yet all show a marked
relationship with those of South America, though
separated from that continent by an open space
of ocean, between 500 and 600 miles in length.
Considering the small size of these islands, we
feel the more astonished at the number of their
aboriginal beings, and at their confined range.
Seeing every height crowned with its crater, and
the boundaries of most of the lava streams still
distinct, we are led to believe that within a
period, geologically recent, the unbroken ocean
was here spread out. Hence, both in space and
time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to the
great fact, that mystery of mysteries – the
first appearance of new beings on this earth."
Charles Darwin
The islands are a part of Ecuador.
But there is a rich history of the British,
Spanish and American involvement. The end result
shows the influence of "man," homo sapiens. We
have the unfortunate history for having killed the
tortoises to the point of extinction on several of
the islands during the whaling era, the early and
mid-1800’s. The tortoise had the unique ability to
live without water and food for months at a time.
The whalers could store the live tortoises on
board the ship for future meals. Goats, pigs, cats
and dogs have been introduced as man moved onto
the islands, which resulted in destroying the eggs
and/or the vegetation on the islands to the point
that the native animals are threatened.
It is truly the uniqueness of
mankind that can stop the destructive behavior. We
hear in Glastonbury the importance of recycling
newspapers, plastics, glass or using hybrid cars
or turning our heat down to save oil consumption,
or using special light bulbs to conserves energy,
…and on and on. It is we, homo sapiens, who can do
something to save this earth, to save the life
that has survived to this point.
The hymn that we sang on Earth Day
stated it so well:
"Touch the earth lightly. Use the
earth gently. Nourish the life of the world in our
care. Gift of great wonder, ours to surrender,
trust for the children tomorrow will bear. We who
endanger, who create hunger, agents of death for
all creatures that live. We who would foster
clouds of disaster - God of our planet, forestall
and forgive.
Let there be greening, birth from
the burning water that blesses, and air that is
sweet, Health in God’s garden, hope in God’s
children, regeneration that peace will complete.
God of all living, God of all loving. God of the
seeding, the snow and the sun. Teach us, deflect
us. Christ reconnect us. Using us gently and
making us one."
We, as homo sapiens, are a RARE species that
can, to a degree, control our environment in which
ALL species live. We are thus the "stewards" of
this planet and in Glastonbury we must continue to
seek out, learn, teach and support efforts to
preserve "mother earth" for ALL species, and not
just for mankind.
