Will our future unfortunately welcome Araneae Memorial Day?
Why the radio silence from my side? — I've unfortunately encountered a few personal and family related hurdles over the last couple of weeks, which have rendered me with much less time to dedicate to Anxious Doodles and my interviews. So, todays newsletter will be a short one, and one that's been on my mind for a while.
I'm the first to say that growing up I was a culprit and an accomplice to the death of many Spiders. Driven by an irrational fear. An irrational fear that still stays with me today, yet I respect their lives and their contribution to all surrounding ecosystems and the health of our mother Gaia.
I'll let this quote by Norman Platnick, who studies arachnids at New York’s American Museum of Natural History speak for itself (1)
“If spiders disappeared, we would face famine. Spiders are primary controllers of insects. Without spiders, all of our crops would be consumed by those pests.”
If you have the financal means to buy organic, it not only means a cleaner meal for yourself but it also means you're choosing to protect the life that ultimately protects us. Pesticides are no joke and they are not harmless – by design. (2)
In addition to choosing organic (3) (if you have the means), is to educate yourself and the younger generations in your community who look up to you how much of our own lives depend on the little critters we find in our crops.
It’s not that one household who buys organic will save our soils, our insects, etc. It’s about addressing the mindset problem our culture has created, that we are above nature. Allowing our future leaders to express empathy and gratitude for the life that sustains life, is an incredible gift not only for their own upbringing, but for the communities they could be leading in their future.
Although I am still known to squeal inside when I encounter a spider today, I am on a journey to demonstrate to my kids what a harmonious relationship looks like between us and these critters.
Picking them up with curiosity and respect, and putting them outside so they can “Go find their mummy” is something my daughter is truly starting to enjoy. This is one of the many gifts we hope to be able to give to her – a sense of respect and love for the living world.
To learn more about keystones species and biodiversity, I highly suggest listening to the life worlds podcast. Episode 1 is a true eye opener in the context of humans and key stone species… and the rest of the podcast doesn't disappoint either!
1 – www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/01/spiders-conservation-importance-agriculture
2 – www.panna.org/resources/pan-international-list-highly-hazardous-pesticides
I hope you and your family are ok.