Biophilia Thru Direct Democracy

Biophilia is a New but growing Movement based on the Insight of the Famed Biologist Edward O. Wilson that People have an Urge to Affiliate with other Forms of Life. There is No Common Blueprint for a Biophilic City, but the Common Denominator is Civic Engagement, where Residents practice Direct Democracy rather than relying on the Officals they have Elected to State and Federal Governments.

Today, 20 Cities in the U.S. and around the World participate in a Biophilic Cities Network. That number is likely to grow more Urban Residents work to improve the quality or their Neighborhoods and Lives, as Officials look for ways to save Money on Essential City Services, and as more places defend themselves against the Destructive and Deadly impacts of Global Cimate Change.

Although the allure of Nature is strong, Climate Change is the most Urgent driver of Ecosystem Restoration in Metropolita areas. In the U.S., 70% of adults are worried about Climate Change because they have Experienced or Witness its impacts. 65 Cities in the U.S. are among the 500 Worldwide with the Largest Emissions or Carbon Dioxide, the Gas produced by burning Fossil Fuels, the Principal cause of Global Warming.

The Biophilic solution is Urban Forestry and Green Spaces, combined with Lighter Colored Streets and Roofs. In addition to Enhancing Property Values, Cleaning the Air, Absorbing Carbon Dioxide, and providing Wildlife Habitats, Trees contribute to Evapotranspiration that Cools the Air and Reduces Electricity demands for Air Conditioning. That, in turn, Reduces the Threat of Blackouts and more Carbon Dioxide Emissionsfrom Power Plants.

Biophilia begins with the understading that Cities are Metabolisms supported by a variety of complex Ecological and Resource flows and Supply Chains. The Modifications of any part of the Metabolism affects the other parts in good ways and bad. Pollution from Fossil Fuels, for example, results in: Poor Air Quality; Respiratory Problems and other Illnesses; Higher Health Care costs; and Lost Productivity due to Missed Days at Work and Schools. But the most Destructive Impact of Fossil Fuels is that they Alter the Atmosphere in ways that Threaten Life as we know it.

To Reduce or Adapt to these Treats, Cities must make Fundamental Changes in how they are Designed, Built, Powered, and Grown. Biophila does this by Retrofitting Cities with Natural features that Urban Development Destroyed. Biophilia often involves Direct Democracy where Citizens mobilize to Solve their Problems. Some Cities allow Citizens to Vote in the Funding Options for their Communities.

Biophilia is one way that Citizens are filling Leadership Vacuums and Avoiding Bureaucratic barriers in Government. One indication is the more than 200 Urban Networks functioning today compared with 55 in 1985.

Our Future depends on Holistic Civic-Engagement Initiatives and on our having the Humility to Learn from Nature rather than trying to subdue it. With Civiization pushing against the Limits of a Living Planet, Theologian Thomas Berry counsels correctly that reconnecting the human species with the rest of the world is the great work of the 21st century.

The work of the Biophilia Foundation is premised on the Belief that Only Private Landowners’ Efforts to Restore and Protect Natural Resources, especially Wildlife Habitat, will recover the Living Resources of the Degraded Lands and Watersheds of our Country.

While Economically sound working Lands are essential to our Well Being, so is the Health and Proper Function of the Natural Systems upon which our Economy and our Existence is based. Government Agencies and Regulators can Improve Water Quality and manage Core Refuges, Parks, and Open Space.

Only Private Landowners’ Efforts will be able to Buffer and Connect these existing Core Areas to allow Long Term Recovery and Survival of our Living Resources and the Ecosystems that also Sustain Us.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker