Why I am donating up to £10,000 to environmental charities from the royalties of What on Earth Happened?

 

Since I first launched the What on Earth Happened? quiz in late July more than 600 people have joined in. From the enormous amount of feedback I have had, one thing is clear: after taking part in the quiz most people quickly realise how little they know about some of the most fundamental questions to do with life on earth. And, like me, they begin to see this is a hugely significant educational void.

 

Writing What on Earth Happened? has helped me realise that we must THINK BIG about history because it simply isn’t good enough in the modern world to think of this important subject in the traditional way as being only about people.

 

I have decided to make a proportion of the royalties (up to £10,000) made out of future sales of What on Earth Happened? to two environmental charities to try to make the connection in people’s minds between the history of the planet, life and people and its future.

 

If humans are to have the slightest chance of collaborating to resolve today’s big issues like population growth, globalisation and climate change, then history needs a fresh start. Our children must have a BIG PICTURE in their minds, rather than have a history that’s blinded by human arrogance and petty national pride (for some examples, see my article in the current issue of Resurgence Magazine).

 

If we think of the history of the earth on the scale of a 24 hour day, most people haven’t a clue that the rise human civilisations represents less than one tenth of a second to midnight on the clock. If we are genuinely concerned about the future relationship between planet, life and people then we must redefine the way history is thought and taught to include the 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds we seem to have missed out.  

 

I believe this is the best way possible to nurture the hope that humanity will be able to plot a path for future generations that makes proper sense for us all - planet, life and people.

 

The two charities I have chosen to support are:

The Resurgence Trust and Friends of the Earth Trust. Both are dedicated to raising awareness and providing living examples of how individuals can make a real difference with their lives for the future benefit and health of planet, life and people.

 

Any feedback or thoughts you have are always gratefully received.  

 

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