Should its message disturb you? I’d certainly hope it does! These games prey on the vulnerable of society - its youth; and promote ‘gladiator style’ solutions to food shortages while teaching present-day children that it is alright to resolve community-at-large issues through adversarial acts of violence.
The ‘living green’ Industry has in fact identified similar issues through the research of such professionals as Richard Louv, author of ‘Last Child in the Woods’ and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network. Louv for years has forewarned society of its pending reality of a ‘last child in the woods’, the result of a lack of people interaction with ‘living green’ that surrounds them. On the other hand, I've described Industry professional Jeff Minnich of Garden Design, Inc. as crediting his perspective – ‘language of flowers’ to the beauty of natural materials and wonderful variety of world plants to influence of a childhood mentor Marguerite Garrett. For, Minnich says, “Marguerite was a great gardener (as were my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather, so I come by it naturally).
I, as an Industry professional, have equally emphasized the frailty of our present-day eco system through inviting people to follow my tweets and view Facebook postings, acquire and read my published eco books, participate in a ‘walk-about’ in my central Virginia landscape gardens; and through recently, launching a nation-wide plant recognition program Plants of Care. Still, it appears it is a choice of shock words – hunger games – which attracts our nation’s attention.
In my community, the Greater Richmond Area (GRA), I’m proud to say we recognize the forecast of ‘hunger games’ as ‘urban food deserts’; and perhaps more importantly, are in the process of implementing programs which counter these urban problems. The city of Richmond has provided a “YouTube’ video which illustrates its ‘greening’ efforts. Through ‘green initiatives’ the city has made a commitment in its sustainability plan to offset urban food shortages. Details of the GRA effort are available through linking to city of Richmond’s web site sustainability plan option.
An example of our commitment is GRA community gardens. Vacant properties owned by the city were identified and are rapidly becoming community gardens. The GRA openly supports its farmer markets, offers public-at-large educational opportunities and has implemented a free shuttle service to enable inner city dwellers the opportunity to travel to sites of ‘grow your own’ or purchase fresh affordable foods. So, my question to others is as an individual or Industry participant - wholesaler and/or retailer or civic community, what are you doing to insure ‘hunger games’ do not become a reality in your community?
While we most certainly reside in an era of social media – influenced by the ‘world web’ which many believe it has created a decline in present-day social skills as well as disconnects people from the living green world which surrounds them, it should not contribute to an era of ‘hunger games’. As gardeners, we not only have opportunities to make a difference through personal choices but can influence others to create an eco-legacy of healthy green space, both rural and urban – avoid ‘hunger games. To identify additional eco tips and strategies, visit web site TheWrightScoop
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