Saving the future of our planet with Matthijs Schouten

Do you feel optimistic about the future? 


When a class of 200 graduates were asked to raise their hand if
they felt optimistic about the future - No one did. Are you
surprised?


This week we speak to Matthijs Schouten, the biologist,
ecologist, lecturer and author of Nature’s mirror; the image of
nature in a cultural-historical perspective


Matthijs G.C. Schouten B.Sc., M.Sc. D.Sc. studied biology and
comparative religion at the University of Nijmegen and Celtic
studies at the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands).


He has worked as lecturer at the University of Nijmegen and as
ecological project leader for the Wildlife Service (Dublin). He
was the leader of the international campaign for the conservation
of Irish bogs. Since 1992 he is senior ecological officer at the
National Forest Service of the Netherlands; since 1995 he also is
a visiting professor of nature and landscape conservation at
University College Cork and University College Galway (Ireland);
in 1999 he furthermore accepted the chair of restoration ecology
at Wageningen University (the Netherlands).


In 1990 he was awarded the International Award for Conservation
Merit by the World wide Fund for Nature and in 1992 the National
University of Ireland granted him a honorary doctorate.


He has published widely in the fields of ecology and nature
philosophy. His latest book Spiegel van de natuur; het
natuurbeeld in cultuurhistorisch perspectief  (Nature’s
mirror; the image of nature in a cultural-historical perspective)
has formed the basis for the exhibition World Nature
Art in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.


In this episode we explore the meaning of nature, how we have
become detached and obsessed with the individual, driven by ego,
how we need to reinstate rituals of contemplation, the power we
all posses to make change, the importance of enchantment,
connection and falling in love. 


“Unless we accept how destructive we can be we can’t move
ahead constructively.”


We loved this episode so much, Dave has already booked a trip to
have lunch with Matthijs!


Enjoy!


Lots of Love,


Dave & Steve





This episode is sponsored by
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Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt


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