Peter D. Carter, M.D.

Present & Previous Advocate for health sustainability through peace & environmental conservation, General Practitioner, a Founding Director of (CAPE) Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Column writer on environmental health & peace issues for Island Tides regional newspaper, Greenhearted website

Role Monthly Defender, Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane My name is Peter Carter and I've been recovering from Euro-American civilization for over thirty years. An unexpected admission was made by a world leader in 2006: "North America is addicted to oil". There's a lot of truth to that, which was why I found the statement by President George W. Bush - not exactly known for his firm grip on reality -- particularly startling. I first realized I was an addict while watching the Vietnam War on TV as if it was entertainment night after night. Then one news real shot of banking jet fighters streaking away from having napalmed an entire hillside into a flaming inferno made something snap inside of me. This is nuts, I thought - really, really crazy! Years later, with two young sons, I had a further insight when it was estimated that the world only had a 50/50 chance of avoiding nuclear annihilation from the Cold War. The standoff was called MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction), and leaders never seemed to tire of arguing that nuclear missiles were what kept the world safe. After watching Dr. Helen Caldicott's Oscar-winning NFB film, If You Love This Planet, I could see how right she was. To put our planet at even the slightest risk would be insane and it was clear to me that the world was nowhere near safe enough for my children. From DDT, PCB's and dioxins to the felling of the Amazon, ozone depletion, strip mining the seas with factory trawlers, losing top soil, and now climate change, I worked the problem. Being in medicine I thought, hang on, this is a lot like TB or cancer or hypertension; lot's of ugly symptoms from one deeply hidden, hard to diagnose disorder. And eventually, the disease became obvious: our crazy, suicidal, Euro-American economics. Fix the economics -- save the planet. We've got to get to it!

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David Forsyth

Present & Previous Assistant Director, Film & Television, Accomplished Scuba Diver & Private Pilot

Role Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane The recent births of my son and daughter have brought my attention and focus back to what's truly important in life: CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER AND CLEAN FOOD. My wife and I moved out of the big city, embraced more organic diets and are attempting to raise our kids in the best environment we can provide. This hasn't been an easy transition, but our planet is in trouble and without expansive attitude & habit change, the future could be very bleak. We strive to continue to evolve our lifestyles, influence others to improve theirs, and set examples for our children by making daily decisions that serve our community and planet in sustainable and responsible ways. There's a long way to go, but for the sake of my family and yours, I have to believe we will succeed.

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Kristin Guite

Present & Previous Recent University Graduate, Volunteer (focused on the Environment, Social Justice, Wildlife)

Role Volunteer Defender, Event-Activities-Materials-Outreach Assistant

Why I'm Getting ecoSane All of my life I have felt the need to make a difference. Yet, I have always struggled with finding an appropriate outlet to act on my passions and concerns. In my final year of my undergraduate degree I came to a revelation that human ecology encompassed everything that I am interested in, and had been learning about. More often than not, we are guilty of separating humans from nature: to regard the human species as somehow separate and unique, when in fact we are a part of the ecosystem, and cannot survive without it. As members of society, we each contribute to, and dictate the pattern of how our society functions; we make it what it is, and - ideally - what we want it to be. Currently, we are determined to perpetuate a market based consumption society, relying on the assumption that growth is progress. When growth is based on consumption, it requires an increased conversion of land, and an exhaustive depletion of natural resources for our use. It has resulted in a disconnection between us and nature, as well as pollution, disease, and isolation. We have created a sealed and sterilized world of corporate architecture that has presented us with the disturbing and stark realities of climate change, food crises, insect and wildlife loss, and resource wars. The culture of conformity and neglect contributes to the continued disconnect between humans and our environment, our lives are intrinsically linked to the environment and nature, and we have forever altered the landscapes of the Earth. Humanity is incredibly adept when faced with formidable challenges, and we are capable in finding clever solutions. Climate change and the looming disasters can be curtailed if we act, but we must do it now. There is no time like the present to demand our society to become what we desire it to be.

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Julie Johnston

Present & Previous Coordinator - Environment & Sustainability Programs, Upper Canada College, Toronto, Canada, Teacher, Teacher Trainer, Adult Educator - Sustainable Development Learning Specialist, Greenhearted website

Role Monthly Defender, Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane According to my family's mythology, I was one of those young children placed outside on warm days in a pram and, later, in a playpen. My earliest memories are of playing on sunny days in the ditch in front of the house, safely close to home yet creating my own little world populated by weeds and insects and the trickle of water meandering by. As a teacher and environmental educator, I want to give children the chance to meet and bond with their true "birth mother" -- Mother Earth. I despair for a world populated and run by people who don't have that heart connection, or a deep and enduring understanding of how the Earth gives us life. I'm getting ecoSane so that I can be an "eco-inspirationalist in the field of education. I want to be the matchmaker who helps people (re)kindle their love for the Earth, so that they will choose to do right for their planet, for themselves, for people in less privileged parts of the world, and ultimately, for all future generations, of all species, for all time (thanks, Bill McDonough!).

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Paul Kitz

Present & Previous Executive Director Canadian EarthCare Society, Greenpeace Activist & Fundraiser, Founder of Catalyst

Role Kindred Defender, Direct Frontline Protest

Why I'm Getting ecoSane There are many reasons. The fact that my survival, and the survival of future generations, depends on immediate action is certainly one. The moral imperative to stand in opposition to destruction is another. My love for life. All of these things are eternal and present within each of us.

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Duncan MacIntosh

Present & Previous Associate Professor of Philosophy

Role Monthly Defender, Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane I share the concerns expressed on this site and I've taken steps in my own life to try to live in a way more congenial to sustainability. For instance, I've replaced my light-bulbs with florescents, I recycle about 80% of my garbage, I turn down the heat when I'm out, I turn off unused lights and electronics, I walk or use public transportation to get around, I try to buy only eco-friendly products (e.g., energy-efficient appliances), I stay informed about environmental issues, I try to educate my students on environmental matters, and I will no longer vote for politicians who do not make the environment a priority. I also donate money to environmental causes, and to this organization. I believe we need to distinguish between efforts dedicated to general promotion of environment concerns, and those specifically dedicated to raising consciousness about the problem of global warming, which ecoSanity.org does. The latter problem is clearly the more urgent; and its solution is tied up not only with our sheer physical survival in the coming half-century, but also with issues of global economic and political justice. ecoSanity.org is currently run on a primarily volunteer basis by people who (though they don't like to admit it) desperately need your financial support to continue their good work. If you, like me, want to make a difference, but can't take the time from your own life to participate directly, I urge you to sign up for Monthly Donations to help the people who are willing to make the sacrifices of committed activism. It would take so little from us individually--$20.00 per month from a few hundred people, would make this organization solvent indefinitely. Please give the organizers of ecoSanity.org the means to amplify your voice, to educate others on the issue, and to encourage governments to take the steps needed to attempt to solve this problem.

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Neil MacIntosh

Present & Previous Policy Analyst

Role Monthly Defender, Advisor, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane Many of us are seeking to make a contribution towards improving the environment so that our children will not have to pay too high a price for our past and current excesses. As someone who has worked with policy makers, I welcome opportunities to apply my analytical expertise to efforts that will raise awareness about the challenges that we face on the environment, and about the importance of developing environmental solutions that can be supported by all interested groups and individuals.

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Gregory Middleton

Present & Previous Director of Photography, Film & TV

Role Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane I've been trying to embrace the philosophy of attempting to maintain a more direct connection to all the elements of the world that nourish and sustain my existence -- food, energy, shelter, transportation, communication, as well as many of the fun things I participate in socially. This also includes all manner of work and wealth creation, which I find particularly challenging. I'm doing this because I've come to believe that it's the disconnection and distance we maintain from these elements that lead to most of our current sustainability problems. I feel that confronting this lack of connection is the first step we must all take before any substantial change can occur. Together, we must work to raise the level of debate from its current tendency toward polarization to one of better understanding with the hope that, one day, we might see Economists and Environmentalists in agreement on the solutions to most problems.

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Haruka-Yue Muta

Present & Previous Student, Activist, Gardener

Role Volunteer Defender

Why I'm Getting ecoSane Just as one drop of water can not nourish an entire desert, one person's heroism can not save an entire planet. But it can inspire hope in others. We are dependent upon the environment that surrounds us. When we lose connection to the Earth and the life that inhabits it, we presume to possess 'unknowables': the land, the water, the sky, the forests, the flowers. I want to reclaim these lost connections; to appreciate and respect the things and beings that sustain my life and the lives of those I love. As a Kindred Defender, I am happy and honoured to be connected to people who inspire me.

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Peter Panopoulos

Present & Previous Actor, Lawyer

Role Advisor, Legal, Financial & Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane Over the past few years, I've been awakened to an extraordinary amount of misinformation about the environment and other issues. Too often, I find that people are inclined to fall into extreme camps - those who seem alarmist and those who seem willfully blind. While the challenges are many, if each of us does our part to identify the problems, take action and embrace the magnificent potential of our combined efforts and abilities, I believe that, together, we can solve them.

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Paul Ruskay

Present & Previous Founder - Studio X Labs Audio Production

Role Audio Design & Support, Content Support, blogSanity Opinion & Commentary

Why I'm Getting ecoSane It isn't optional. The bubble we've been living in for the past 50 years is about to burst. Climate change and energy challenges will affect ALL of us. Like it or not, the time for what's next has to be NOW.

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Nicole Sullivan

Present & Previous Student, Activist, Artist

Role Volunteer Defender

Why I'm Getting ecoSane Our politicians and corporations are not allowing the environment's voice, let alone our own voices, to be represented. We as a collective have the power to stop the injustices that are occurring within these systems and institutions. It is our obligation to restore what has been destroyed and preserve the beauty we have for the future.

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