A self-described "rebel with a conscience," Dr. Russell Peterson, the 83-year-old former Governor of Delaware and President Emeritus of the National Audubon Society, delivered a speech Thursday titled "Together We Can Save the Earth."
In front of a sparsely filled room, Peterson attempted to describe ways "to save the natural resources that grace our lovely planet."
"Our world is heading for disaster," he warned. "But I am optimistic that if we build on the positive trends of the last 20 years, we will be able to solve the world's problems."
His environmental philosophy combines activism and holistic thinking, fostering harmony between humanity and the natural world.
"We are closely connected, and interdependent on each other," he said. "We must see ourselves as an integral part of nature."
Surveys reveal that two-thirds of the American public strongly support environmental education in schools, and the burgeoning environmental awareness of young people is an important step in our fight to save the planet, Peterson said.
He highlighted three central causes of environmental degradation -- overpopulation, over-consumption of resources and fallout from new technology, although Peterson said these problems are not unsolvable.
He listed the elimination of chloroflurocarbons and the mitigation of global warming and nuclear energy as major victories for the Earth. But the bulk of the burden of saving the world will fall on today's generations.
Peterson expressed support for family planning -- including abortion -- to combat overpopulation.
"One of the prime goals of we supporters of the Earth must be to convince Congress to help families get rid of unplanned pregnancies," Peterson said.
"Whether the world crashes will be determined by what humans do during the lifetime of you students. The big job will be yours," he said.
This "big job" includes increased conservation, recycling and participation in grassroots organizations to pressure world leaders and Congress to pass needed environmental legislation, he said.
Peterson said that this will not be an easy task, calling members of Congress "committed anti-environmentalists."
Peterson, a former Republican turned Democrat, warned of the dangers of an all-Republican government.
"I believe if we got a Republican President, we the people and the environment would be in very serious trouble," he said. "The fate of the world rests on how we Americans choose our leadership."
"We know how to avoid disaster and change current trends. If we work together we can change those trends. It is not a pipe dream. The world has started to make it happen," he said.
A 1985 visiting professor at the College, Peterson commended the College for its efficient use of recycling.
"You don't have to be an environmental leader to have an impact. Anyone can do it."
