Educational Ponderings

Over the years since the inception of the Island Rover Institute, the volunteers have thought, discussed, planned, and extensively ponder numerous tasks, threads of concern, and proposed actions, all in the interest of addressing the history, current and future environmental, social and cultural status of homo sapiens occupying their place on global earth.

The two Island Rover Booklets: “The State of the World Addressed” –pub. 2006 and “The State of the World Addressed – The Triple Crisis” – pub 2007 represent group efforts of adult volunteers and students

What follows below are short narratives on ideas, situations, environmental concerns, social / cultural dilemmas for potentially instilling the seeds of pondering by students and adults alike. Such ponderings have led to the wealth of knowledge, literature and documents archived in the Island Rover Institute “Dorothy E. Smith Memorial Library”.

Life-Style Analysis

The USA has created and promoted a life style which attracts the third world countries as the standard to which to subscribe —-WHEN IN FACT the North American culture should be looking at the self-sustaining cultures of the third world societies and learning from them the ways of balancing the co-existence of mankind with mother nature. The rules and laws of Mother Nature will always eventually trump the unwise endeavors of Homo sapiens

The Island Rover Foundation / Institute leads and disseminates knowledge via:

Demonstration:

The building of the traditional topsail schooner “Island Rover” is a demonstration project of how big and how beautiful a project can be built from the commodities and raw materials which are considered to be trash and/or waste in society today. A demonstration of how wasteful the so called civilized society has become. Nothing is wasted in the realm of Mother Nature.

Example:

The Island Rover Foundation/Institute leads by example with the building of all booths and public display exhibits by utilizing raw materials declared surplus by others or salvaged from some source other than what might be considered “normal”.

Presentations:

At every opportunity the volunteers of the Island Rover Foundation /Institute will make presentations to gathered groups to promote the alternative views and the mind-sets of those that believe that the industrial revolution may not have taken society to the place, that is as in sync with the natural order of things, as we choose to believe. There is considerable evidence that some major alterations in our collective thinking MUST be made in order to anticipate that there will be a future acceptable life style available to the next generations.

Written Words:

The written words of the Island Rover Foundation/Institute, along with the volumes referenced to others, points out that the human species is not exhibiting the wisdom to create a society which conforms to the laws and rules of Mother Nature, which do ultimately control the environment in which man cohabitates. The human race only thinks that it has a control over the laws of Mother Nature and only appears to be the dominant force on earth. Slowly but surely there are folks, who are visionaries, who are speaking up and pointing out the folly of the ways of the past and are suggesting alternatives, which may help to perpetuate the life style, to which we have become accustomed

Summary:

The education and alternative mind-sets which the Island Rover Foundation/Institute are setting forth are much more consistent with the “natural order of things”, where nothing is “wasted” and nothing is done in excess, BUT where everything becomes a raw material or resource for the need of some other entity. Man’s influence on the Earth has placed the balance of nature in jeopardy. Mother Nature is starting to point out that imbalance with weather pattern changes, species population shifts, health issues within the human species (as well as other species!) and genetic deviation within a whole array of environmental theaters.

Sustainability

The single greatest challenge to the current civilizations is “SUSTAINABILITY”. Addressing the ability, or actually better stated, the inability of the planet earth to support and sustain the levels of pressure that the human species is exerting on the environment through:

  1. The consuming of Natural Resources, such as fossil fuels and the production of their by-products leading to Global Warming & Climate Change.
  2. The pressure on Natural Resources by intense Agriculture’s use of fertilizers, pesticides and the resulting pollution, in order to provide the quantities of food to support a population, which is too large for the planet.
  3. The long term inability of the earth to support a human population as large as is currently in existence, to say nothing of an exponentially increasing population.
  4. The folly of the financial/economic system which is based on “continued growth” which is (as previously stated!) unable to be supported by “Mother Earth”, are all major threats to the society, as we know it.

Sustainable Energy

  • John Howe in his 2003 book “The End of Fossil Energy – the Last Chance for a Sustainable Future” presents evidence of lengthy research and analysis of the data relative to the availability of fossil fuels and he presents the conclusion (and STRONGLY re-emphasizes it in his second edition 2005) that the supply and the demand is soon to be in major conflict.
  • Richard Heinburg in his 2003/2005 book “The Party is Over” addresses the history of fossil fuel and how the use of fossil fuel in the industrial revolution got us to where we are today and WHY the remaining fossil fuel and the alternative energy sources cannot possibly sustain the world populations and civilizations / societies, as they currently exist and are expanding. THEN in his 2004 book “Power Down” he pulls no punches and puts forth the scenarios that can be realistically anticipated based on the financial, agricultural, transportation, if marketing, and economical systems, which are currently in place, as a society and world civilization we do not deal with changing the base paradigms.
  • Matt Savinar in his current book and internet site “Life After the Oil Crash”, speaks even more candidly and lays it out with no embellishment. His words have even been quoted on the floor of the US Congress but one has to wonder to what avail.
  • Matt Simmons’ June 2005 publication of “Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy”, is BY FAR the most thought provoking read. There he rebuts and brings into serious question, Saudi Arabia’s claim to have surplus oil enough to supply the world’s needs into the next decades. After researching 200 documents written over the last 20 years, Matt Simmons strongly suggests that the Saudi’s Claims, those claims being the premise upon which the ENTIRE USA ENERGY POLICY is based, are fundamentally flawed.

Summary:

These authors do not intend to paint a picture of dome and gloom BUT THEY DO WARN US and SUGGEST and TELL US WHAT needs to be done, in order to avert the inevitable that Mother Nature will administer, and how little time we have to do it. They each have a plan and they present their plans on how the paradigms that we are in might be changed to achieve the desired results. Since first researching for this Educational Web Site, the Island Rover Volunteers have had MANY discussions revolving around the way that many situations in society today, which “need fixing”, can be all traced back to the impact of fossil fuels and the progressions of the industrial revolution. The situations in some cases were caused directly by utilizing fossil fuels, for example in the burning there-of thus impacting climate change. In other cases it was more indirect such as using fossil fuel to make products such as plastics, fertilizers, pesticides, man-made chemicals, etc., which in turn caused pollution of many variations and ultimately impacted the environment and then the health of many species, such as eagles, frogs etc. (Theo Colborn “Our Stolen Future”), including Homo sapiens. In the zeal to create the “Good Life” we many well have “fouled-our-own-nest” irrevocably, unless WE as a society TAKE IMMEDIATE and definitive action to CHANGE THE PARIDIGMS which we hold so dear.

As stated, EACH of the authors have suggestions and plans as to what we CAN do as individuals and what we MUST do as a society. The solution may well be a combination of their suggestions and plans, BUT WE MUST START SOMEWHERE NOW !

June 2026 Editorial Comment: The words presented above and below were based on the knowledge of the era — early 2000 to 2005. The preverbal train heading down the track toward what was projected then as a catastrophic train wreck—has not significantly slowed nor altered direction. YES!! There have been huge technological advancements: shale oil, the internet, advancements in solar and wind power, world wide communication, to name just some, which only caused the train to increase speed. The socially /culturally/environmentally ignored topic is the world population growth. Let us continue reviewing the dialogue of two decades ago! We will address the current Population Growth Catastrophe at the conclusion of the original web site dialogue!

The Island Rover Volunteers will publish on this web site THEIR ideas and suggestions as to what individuals can do, in order to start encouraging others to “walk the walk” with us.

Ecological Sustainability at Unity College

http://www.unity.edu

Ecological sustainability is the single greatest problem facing humanity today. Most colleges and universities ignore this problem or merely pander to it, doing students a great disservice. Humanity is gravely threatened by ecological problems, particularly in the areas of energy and climate change. Here at Unity College we make sure that students have the intellectual tools they need to solve the problems of our time. We do this the way we do most things – “hands-on” learning. All students must study sustainability before they graduate, and we try to make our campus as sustainable as is physically and fiscally possible.

Unity’s Sustainability Committee

Unity’s Sustainability Committee was formed in 2001 to oversee and coordinate the College’s various efforts at improving sustainability, to identify areas where improvement is needed, and to make recommendations. The committee is a group of students, faculty, and staff who meet throughout each semester and work with various members of the Unity community to improve the physical sustainability of the campus.

Unity College – MOFGA Sustainable Agriculture Practicum & Internship

This unique program offers a thorough introduction to sustainable agriculture in theory and practice. An intensive three-week May practicum course provides a foundation in sustainable agriculture through visits to premier sustainable farms, classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory work in the college gardens and greenhouses, and seminars with visiting farmers. The internship offers college credit for a summer farm work experience mentored by a MOFGA farmer expert in both sustainable agriculture practice and education.

Pathways to a Sustainable Future

The Chewonki Foundation program entitled: “Pathways to a Sustainable Future” (http://www.chewonki.org/Pathways/) exemplifies the long term commitment to researching and educating towards a more “in-sync” society with the natural order of things. The July 6th 2004 conference on “Sustainable Energy” was a “state of the technology” presentation. The Key Note Address at that conference was delivered by Ross Gelbspan, the journalistic reporter with a long history of involvement with “Global Warming” and “Global Climate Change”. The remarks presented that day sobered the masses in attendance and pointed out the potentially disastrous road that society is traveling. The entire text of that key note address is presented at: http://www.chewonki.org/Pages/Chewonki_EnvEd/S00095EFA for your pondering.

“Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser

In the first few chapters of “Fast Food Nation” Eric Schlosser detailed the rise to power and control of the Corporate giants of Disney, McDonald, BurgerKing ……………and the morality that support those giants and there-in he describes the capturing and enslavement of whole generations to the addiction to fast food and sugar laden soft drinks.

International Herald Tribune says about “Eric Schlosser’s compelling new book, Fast Food Nation, will not only make you think twice before eating your next hamburger, but it will also make you think about the fallout that the fast food industry has had on the American social and cultural landscape; how it has affected practices from ranching and farming to diets and health, from marketing and labor practices to Large economic trends… A fierce indictment of the industry.”

Climate Change and Energy Crisis

Ross Gelbspan introduces the subject of Climate Change not as a future problem BUT one which is here and now and “the one issue which, unchecked, will swamp all other issues”. He then goes on to say that while dealing with the climate change issue we may well find solutions to what we currently believe to be the significant issues, like world terrorism and renewable energy. He continues by pointing out that politically the USA does not recognize the impact that we are making as 5 percent of the world’s population generating a quarter of the world’s emissions. The rendition of example after example of the cause and effect of climate change and the aftermath there-off goes to solidify the urgency of the situation. http://www.heatisonline.org./main.cfm

“The Heat Is On” by Ross Gelbspan

The USA stands alone as the only country in the world failing to yet “politically” recognize the impact of the greenhouse effect, as is proven by the failure to sign the Kyoto accord. “We are gambling with our collective futures”. “Climate change will only get worse.”. “The deep oceans are warming, the tundra is thawing; the glaciers are melting; infectious diseases are spreading; violent weather is increasing and the timing of the seasons has changed. And all that has resulted from one degree of warming. By contrast, the earth will warm by up to 10 degrees later in this century, according to the IPCC.”

Lester R. Brown of the Earth Policy Institute

Lester R. Brown of the Earth Policy Institute Sept. 2003 shares the same views on the impact of global Warming with discussions on the effect that “Higher Temperatures Drive Crop Yields Down for four Years”. (http://www.heatisonline.org./contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?id=4527&method=full) and the results that the world is facing a fourth consecutive grain harvest shortfall.

Lester R. Brown’s groundbreaking work “Outgrowing the Earth: the Food Security Challenge in an Age of Falling Water Tables and Rising Temperatures” documents how human demands are outstripping the earth’s natural capacities and how the resulting environmental damage is undermining food production. It outlines the steps needed to secure future food supplies.

Lester R. Brown has further written “Plan B: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress” and a “Civilization in Trouble” which calls for a worldwide mobilization to stabilize population and climate before they spiral out of control. It provides a plan for sustaining economic progress worldwide.

June 2026 Editorial Comment: Later current data presented by World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision – confirms that world population size IS OUT OF CONTROL!

Lester R. Brown — A “Detailed Biography” (http://www.earth-policy.org/About/Lester_bio.htm)

Theo P. Colborn

Theo P. Colborn … Were it not enough that the world’s climatic state is in question, there have been voices over the years that the environmental health of the world is also in jeopardy. Theo P. Colborn and her associates pointed out, with their investigative reporting of the scientific evidence available in 1996, (http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/) that the species of the world were suffering from the smallest of levels of man-made chemical pollution called endocrine blockers. Those levels of chemicals responsible for the havoc were almost not measurable and yet the business community of the industrialized world, were oblivious to the long term impact of what they were doing. The governmental regulatory community was and still is regulating at a tonnage level of discharge when in fact the regulations should be at the ZERO Level of Production, never mind discharge, considering the long term effects of the most miniscule of quantities.

Paul Hawken in “Ecology of Commerce” and “Natural Capitalism”

Paul Hawken in “Ecology of Commerce” and “Natural Capitalism” is suggesting that the corporations (particularly the mega corporations) of the world have the power and the duty to alter the direction of the industrialized world. He further suggests that they have –and ONLY they have — the power and the resources to make that change of paradigm happen. http://www.scottlondon.com/reviews/hawken.html It is scary that the future of the world may well be cradled in bassinets on the board room tables of the largest corporations of the world. And that the future generations of all species are subject to the red and black ink of the financial types reporting to those board room attendees.

Paul Hawken is not alone in the belief that the civilized world can still help the “natural world” heal and save itself. L. Hunter Lovins and Amory Lovins, Pres. & Exec. Dir. Rocky Mountain Institute, of Snowmass, Colo. – the co-authors of “Natural Capitism” (www.naturalcapitalism.org) with Paul also propose that on a global scale the human species can still make a difference, or AT LEAST HAS TO TRY to make a difference in the outcome of the situation.

Ray C. Anderson, CEO of Interface Inc.

Ray C. Anderson, CEO of Interface Inc., has taken up the banner to DO SOMETHING to change the paradigm in a global sense, http://www.sustainablenc.org. In addition to playing the significant role of changing the direction of his worldwide Carpet Manufacturing entity, in order to lessen the impact on the world’s resources, Ray C. Anderson has taken to the lecture circuit and is now preaching what he is practicing and he is trying to attract others. His book on the subject of his entering the “second industrial revolution” – “Mid-Course Correction” Toward a Sustainable Enterprise: the Interface Model is a model for any corporate management that wishes to join the movement toward preserving the earth as a viable platform for the next generations of all species and especially MAN! http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=r_anderson

Ray Anderson is quoted as saying: “I don’t have an answer for Society, But we must change our ways, or nature will do it for us.” http://www.bigspeak.com/ray-anderson.html The motto that one sees frequently when reading Ray Anderson is:

DOING WELL by DOING GOOD!!!

Think Globally and Act Locally

The movement toward the change in Paradigm relative to the “second industrial revolution” IS NOT isolated to a few nor is it unique to the global players. There is a saying that goes: “Think Globally and Act Locally!” That applies very nicely to the situation under discussion. In order for the change in paradigm to be successful EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US MUST CHANGE our habits and our mind-set. That change can be seen locally undoubtedly all over the USA but specifically in Maine and other New England states in the influence and teachings of: Unity College of Maine (www.unity.edu) The Chewanki Foundation, (www.chewanki.org), the Wolfe’s Neck Farm (www.wolfesneckfarm.org), the changing way that we look at Natural Resources via Earth Shift (www.earthshift.com), the grass roots local initiatives that are by and for the people and for the planet (www.newearth.info).

The Island Rover Foundation/Institute Educational Mission

The Island Rover Foundation/Institute has taken the position that it is most efficient to educate the next generations and change the paradigm at that level of the educating process. Thus there is a concerted effort to reach the High School Students, the Middle School students and the Elementary students where the message is that there are five concepts that will have a greater impact on their future lives than any other concepts that they can think of:

Control Consumerism,
Conservation of Natural Resources
Address Mass Merchandizing,
Industrial Waste Minimization
Implement & practice the Re-Words in the Island Rover Logo
Re-use / Recycling / Repair / Re-purpose / Re-Manufacture

June 2026 Editorial Comment: During the preparation of a portion of the 2000 to 2008 era of the Island Rover Educational Web site for a re-launching to public view, IT BECAME ABUNTANTLY clear that what most all that the authors of that era had spoken was the truth. Prophecies spoken then had already or were in the process of fulfillment. HOWEVER One key projection was very scary and totally out of control and no logical, socially acceptable way to rein it in, was on the table for discussion.. I call your attention to the Global Population Expansion, Totally Out of control with only Catastrophic Endings projectable. The attached graph and historical facts speak volumes that cannot be denied.

The World Population Past, Present, and Future
Graph by Worldometer. 
Population size on June 30, 2026.
https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

World Population Growth: A Historical Perspective

At the dawn of agriculture, about 8000 B.C., the population of the world was approximately 5 million. Over the 8,000-year period up to 1 A.D. it grew to 200 million (some estimate 300 million or even 600, suggesting how imprecise population estimates of early historical periods can be), with a growth rate of under 0.05% per year.

A tremendous change occurred with the industrial revolution: whereas it had taken all of human history until around 1800 for world population to reach one billion, the second billion was achieved in only 130 years (1930), the third billion in 30 years (1960), the fourth billion in 15 years (1974), and the fifth billion in only 13 years (1987).

  • During the 20th century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.65 billion to 6 billion.
  • In 1970, there were roughly half as many people in the world as there are now.
  • Because of declining growth rates, it will now take over 200 years to double again.

Wonder how big was the world’s population when you were born?

Check out this simple wizard or this more elaborated one to find out.

Sources: