Ryan King

The Darien is a hub of extraordinary terrestrial and aquatic diversity, a sanctuary of indigenous communities already devoted to protecting local wilderness, and habitat for endangered Apex predators, including the Harpy Eagle. It also, unfortunately, serves as an example of contemporary environmental and societal threats magnified by large-scale geopolitical changes.

As the severity of human impacts to ocean life rises, however, so have a variety of adaptations combining scientific research, education, mitigation, awareness, and restoration of the incredible life harbored in the wildly diverse coral reefs across the planet. The following interview with Dr. Ewout Knoester of Reefolution.org provides merely a brief introduction into the amazing work in reef restoration and community building by their initiative. 

While the practice of skateboarding may seem at first glance as completely arbitrary in the fields of existential ecological and social threats, in the example of Skateistan it has already demonstrably provided a foundation for community efforts supporting health, environmental education, and resilience in the midst of the extreme chaos of war, serving as a positive example of progressive social growth within chaotic conditions. 

Investing in cultural shifts towards community and environmental health may provide beneficial alternatives away from traditional fear-driven accumulation of wealth, benefiting cultural and social resilience, while increased attention to environmental regulations may prevent further damage wrought by mineral extraction.

As global change related to resource depletion and climate change becomes increasingly severe, the ineffectiveness of world governments as well as mainstream environmental organizations and movements is obvious…Instead of relying on these approaches, it seems the safest and most secure adaptive route is the introduction of decentralized, local alternative energy and environmental solutions.