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The Paula Gordon Show |
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The Paula Gordon Show |
| Open Lives | |||
Our descendants deserve at least a rudimentary chance
to survive and enjoy this planet as we have, Richard Leakey believes.
Will they get it? Dr. Leakey worries about the answer to that question.
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Conversation 1 Richard Leakey describes for Paula Gordon and Bill Russell how the strands of his unusually interesting life weave together. He gives a frank assessment of his worries about the current state of the world.  5:55
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Conversation 2 Young people are the key to addressing all of the issues that trouble him, Dr. Leakey says, focusing on the key role our intelligent minds have played in our evolution. He applauds real education and appropriate parenting, in contrast to disturbing current realities. He integrates his own experience and observations about our species’ deep past with his interest in the ethics and rights of other intelligent animals, including great apes and elephants. Humanity’s struggle to survive is related to caring about each other AND other creatures, he says, and expands. 10:58
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Conversation 3 The plight of humans
directly affects the conservation of other species, Dr. Leakey reminds
us, with examples. There’s enough money for the world to take
responsibility for the survival of wildlife in protected areas alongside
other pressing needs, he says, pointing out that we cannot inhabit a world
without breathing space, forests, clean water and air. “Conservation”
and “development” must co-exist, he says, convinced that everyone
-- not just moderately wealthy people -- must be offered the opportunity
to move forward in life. The challenges of spending money wisely are explored.
Dr. Leakey suggests updating the roles of governments and of private enterprise. 11:22
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Conversation 4 We must educate
young people to remain open, to learn long after we leave school, Dr.
Leakey declares. He urges people in the United State to look beyond fear-driven
responses to “9/11” and to talk about what is really happening
in the world, including what America’s actions in Iraq have done
to the possibility of a more or less peaceful world. Noting what
delights and frustrates him about America, he points out that others in
the world may have quite different and legitimate values. Summarizing
his work to save elephants, Dr. Leakey discusses the Great Apes. He addresses
ideas about “God’s purpose” and the need to accept the
reality of evolution. 10.28
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Conversation 5 We are a part of
nature, Dr. Leakey reminds us, with a variety of examples, from Great
Apes to lions and other animals with a degree of intelligence. Deep-seated
religious traditions with long human histories do not have the advantage
of what is now known about the real world, he observes. The conversation
expands to include morals, ethics, and cultures, across species. People
can be led, Dr. Leakey reports, and discusses ways to address corruption
in many cultures. 16:00
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Conversation 6 The global climate
clearly is changing, Dr. Leakey says. Yes, it has happened before, he
realizes, but the anticipated flooding, droughts and famines ahead did
not affect 5 billion people. He insists that we all have responsibility
for making sure our descendants have at least a rudimentary chance of
surviving and enjoying the planet we have enjoyed. 3:46
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Acknowledgements Our admiration for the extraordinary work and courage
of Richard Leakey and of his remarkable family knows no bounds. |
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