Environmental Sustainability: Lessons from Sand Talk by T. Yunkaporta

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Environmental Sustainability: Lessons from Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
Sand Talk explores the modern world through the lens of traditions of the Aboriginal people (Tyson refers to them as the Dreaming). The overarching theme of the book is that if the modern society learns the ways of the ancient world, and how it lived sustainably, it could solve the problems of the present generation such as environmental sustainability. The author, who from the Dreaming nations of Australia, does not compel the reader to view the world through the lens of the Dreaming nations of Australia. Rather, he advises the reader to look into his/her own ideas that have been passed down through their generations and they will find innovative solutions and information that would enable them live happily and sustainably. Additionally, he advises the reader that the world does not necessarily need to adopt a single approach its problems such as environmental issues, but use a multifaceted approach derived from all cultures. Throughout the book, Tyson yarns (yarning is a concept the author uses extensively in the book which loosely translates to discusses) about ancient knowledge to which he claims he is not informed enough to speak for it but about it. He discusses some of the ways the Aboriginal worldview could be used to solve the problems of our generations.
Tyson uses some analogies to explain how and why humans should look to nature to find solutions to the problems of our generations. He argues that the complex relationships that exist in nature have been broken down by humans and until we revisit and rebuild the world not only for ourselves but for all species, our efforts to save the planets would be futile. In one example, he uses the example of a complex relationship between a bush, ants and a certain species of a butterfly. The butterflies lay their eggs on a specific bush, the ants carry down the eggs into their nets where they hatch into larvae. The ants feed the larvae which produces a jelly like substance which the queen-ant feeds on. Eventually the larvae turn into butterflies and fly out and the process starts again. This complex relationship between so many species is critical to each species survival. Tyson argues. ‘bush, ant and butterfly—would be impossible for a single human mind to desi...