A Christmas gift from nature

By Dr Anina Lee

I am saddened by the rampant consumerism that is associated with Christmas. While supporting local businesses is a good thing when purchasing what you need, buying goods for the sake of buying is bad for the planet.

The biggest threats to Planet Earth are not only the burgeoning number of people on it but also the rate at which the wealthy consume resources. Thus the USA consumes more resources and causes more planetary pollution than India, although the USA has only 35% of the population of India.

The ‘Christmas Butterfly’, or Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio demodocus) is a beautiful black and yellow butterfly that can be spotted in gardens around South Africa. As the name implies, the caterpillars are partial to the leaves of citrus trees.

PHOTO: naturebackin.com

What, you say, should I then give my grandchildren for Christmas? In my view, the most precious gift we can bestow on children is to spend time with them – preferably in nature, away from the television, mobile phones and other devices. The gift of knowledge and love of nature will last a lifetime. Exploring nature leaves almost no carbon footprint, nor drives resource consumption.

For example, gift your loved ones a boat trip to spot sharks, whales, dolphins or even a Mola mola in Walker Bay. Or book a guided fynbos walk with a tour guide or Botanical Society. Gift a spot on one of the many nature activities offered by Whale Coast Conservation: spotting chameleons at night, exploring the hidden wildlife on the beach, or walking through an ancient milkwood forest and learning about its ecology and history.

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