A collection of Wollemi Pines were discovered in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney... The species had been thought to have been extinct for at least two million years.Botanist Sally McGeoch says that by the end of 2005 Wollemi Pine saplings will be available from selected retailers.
They could survive in hot or cold climates and would make perfect indoor plants.
Listen people. There are reasons why plants, animals and other life forms go extinct. These are all manifestations of Gaia, a creature constantly changing even though our lives are lived too quickly to notice most of these changes. Granted, our own species has been responsible for far too many extinctions of species before their time, and we should do everything in our power to stop the destruction of threatened lifeforms.
But that's a far cry from spreading seeds and spores world-wide! Yes, we should protect this last grove. Yes, anyone caught in the area should be flayed of their own flesh. But NO! We should not look for commerical exploitation of a species that has obviously had its number called.
Thanks to GetVegan for the link.
'Granted, our own species has been responsible for far too many extinctions of species before their time, and we should do everything in our power to stop the destruction of threatened lifeforms.'
We are a manifestation of Gaia as well, and any destruction we incur is no different that the extiction of a species caused by an errant asteroid or gradual climate change.
Posted by: Brian on September 30, 2003 12:51 PMBrian,
I couldn't disagree and agree with you more. Confused? Well, imagine what it's like living in my head.
Yes, we are also manifestations of Gaia. Oh sure, some have speculated we're alien spawn, but a 99.4% hit on chimp DNA speaks to me loud and clear we are of this earth. And just like any other over aggressive organism devouring the resources around them, we're subject to the same laws of competition and extinction as any other life form.
But not quite. Bacteria eat and eat and eat all the food in a petri dish until there is nothing left to consume for two reasons. 1) they are bacteria and it's what they do, and 2) they lack the perspective of impending doom. The same holds true for most other species; but not ours.
With awareness should come responsibility for our own sake. Gaia doesn't care. Once we've made the planet inhospitable to our lifeform (and the majority of others), Gaia will come up with something to fill the gap. It happens and has happened countless times in 4.5 million years. The awareness should be the difference. Too bad it's not.
Posted by: Evo on September 30, 2003 01:33 PM