Dictionary definition of Ecology:

• the discovery of the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and to each other in their natural or developed environment

 My definition of Mecology:

• the discovery of my impact on the totality or pattern of relations between myself and all other organisms and to each other in their natural or developed environment AND making conscience decisions and taking conscious actions that positively support life on earth 

OR – actively looking after my personal ecosystem and taking responsibility for my impact on the world      

I live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world – New Zealand.  I live a comfortable, easy life – enough food, water, peacefully, healthy environment, able to earn a good living, pursue my interests, free to air my views, choose my leaders.  All the things everyone on earth would love. 

But I am disturbed. 

Before Global Warming became the foremost environmental issue in recent years, I have been concerned about what happens in the world.  

For example, when we have had enough food to feed everyone and new and effective medicines being developed, why does malnutrition and disease haunt billions of people’s existence and cause over 26,000 children to die every day?   When the United Nations has been set up for peace, why are four of the five countries on the UN Security Council some of the biggest arms dealers in the world? When water is essential for all forms of life on earth and is a finite resource, why do countries privatise it and the World Trade Organisation promote the concept that water is a potential trillion dollar business – Blue Gold in fact. 

And then there is transnational greed and questionable business ethics, globalisation, unethical consumerism, terminator seed monopolies, global insecurity and a host of other issues too numerous to mention … you get the drift. 

So what has this got to do with individual people like me? … I hear you ask.    Nothing … if you don’t care. 

And now Global Warming has emerged as the biggest planetary threat to our future.  Not just an inconvenient truth, a pending global catastrophe for all species of animal, plant, insect and human. 

My mother taught me (probably like yours) that if you make a mess, you clean it up.   Humans have been the major contributor to the forces of nature that are now impacting on us.   We have not been aware that our lifestyles have been slowly moving us to a future denoted by “natural” disasters, food shortages, water depletion, environmental destruction, species loss and unnecessary death. 

Now we know. 

So I decided that helplessness, fear, confusion, I’m OK mate and Yeah right! aren’t going to be helpful. In fact, downright irresponsible. 

Instead I am doing the only thing I know to do.  Choosing to be very aware of my own ecosystem and how far it extends into the world and then, consciously making decisions and taking actions towards repairing the damage I, and you, have done, unknowingly in the past.  This means I have to be informed about global issues, environmental issues, local issues. 

I know there are millions of people on the planet who are already doing this.  Imaginative, courageous, innovative, wildly passionate, deeply committed, morally responsible (that’s morally in the general sense of the word – to always do right) quiet and not so quiet R-evolutionaries.  Activists for the planet.  We have a rich legacy of hero’s and heroine’s footprints to follow.  But in the past, these people have been in the minority, sometimes marginalised as crackpots or worse.  Occasionally recognised and appreciated. 

Now the numbers are swelling.  

People are becoming activists without knowing it. Understanding their environmental footprint, questioning business ethics, satisfying their yearning to connect with nature. 

So if I only did my bit in isolation would that make a difference?  Maybe, just a little. 

But what if I started to talk to others.  To encourage people out of fear into action, out of helplessness into personal power, out of denial into commitment? 

May not make much of a difference either, but in 5 years time when we will really know where the planet is going (I believe that’s our window of opportunity) I personally will feel I have tried. 

So Mecology was created.  A philosophy founded in the principles of ancient wisdom.  We are nature and nature is in us.   We know what’s right, we just got sidetracked for a couple of hundred years. 

Now is the time to step up – are you a Mecologist by Choice?  Or are you going to carry on as usual and be surprised when nature takes its course? 

Join the R-evolution and become an activist for Life on Earth.