The most fundamental concept that must be imbued into society to truly reverse decaying social and environmental situations is an understanding that one’s health and potential to thrive is interwoven with the health and survival of those life forms and things around one. The Earth Organization created a term for this – Cooperative Ecology™ (CoEco™) – and, based on this principle, have created character-building workshops and reading materials.  BECAUSE NONE SURVIVE ALONE is a book on this subject for ages 8 to 15.

It’s all about the give and take of life. To help youth grasp the concept, we make it personal with a whole set of exercises for them to think through about all the things that others do for them to make their life better, happier and safer, and what they do for others. Then, we have them actively do something to make a family member’s life better and encourage them to observe if their own life was enhanced, even in a small way, as a result. By doing similar exercises on their teachers, school, local businesses, their church, and then outwards to the natural world, we bring about an understanding that the same interplay is true throughout all of life.

People who learn and apply CoEco principles tend to become more cognizant of the world around them, are more considerate about their impact on the environment, and realize that those individuals and species who live most successfully are those who actively work to enhance the life and things around them upon which their life depends. Obviously, it doesn’t all happen in a day, but we are often surprised how quickly noticeable changes in attitudes can occur.