Philippa Stevenson: Tsunami a terrible reminder of our vulnerability to nature

When the Earth shifted on December 26 so did our perspective.

We were still digesting Christmas dinners when the planet burped and blew away any assumptions that we ant-like characters on its surface are masters of our destiny.

We may be the dominant species but it suddenly seemed just plain lucky to have a toehold anywhere.

How many of us made the annual trek to the coast, sat on the beach and worked out where we'd run to and how far we'd get if our lapping waves went feral? I did and the survival prospects were not good.

It is no consolation for the terrible loss of life round the Indian Ocean, but scientists believe that earthquakes like the one on Boxing Day recycle the planet's crust and make our world a place fit for us to live.

University of California geochemist Donald J. De Paolo told the New York Times that the geological process that caused the earthquake and tsunami is an essential characteristic of the planet.

"As far as we know, it doesn't occur on any other planetary body and has something very directly to do with the fact that the Earth is a habitable planet."

Many biologists believe the process may have even given birth to life itself, and continues to enrich it.

Living on sea-bound and "shaky isles", we need less reminding about the forces of nature than most.

But what we do need to be jolted about is how we treat the precious land, sea, water and air we have.

In a break from planning my tsunami escape route from the beach, I noticed that in about two generations we have inflicted suburbia on our coastal wild places.

In what sense is it progress to trample nature underfoot so we can exchange one suburban abode for another for two or three weeks a year? Was the conviviality of campgrounds and cosiness of the tiny fibrolite bach so bad?

Which era looks more sustainable? More importantly, where do we go from here?

It's a question exercising many minds. At the end of last year, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Morgan Williams wondered what a more sustainable New Zealand would look like.

He wrote in NZ Geographic that sustainability essentially means, "developing systems that deliver qualities of life without making a mess in the first place".

"Sustain, in its simplest terms, means to endure and to remain healthy - how we continue to exist, provide shelter and clean water or food into a very distant future.

"When most of us think about sustainability, we think about our biophysical world, our waters, forests, pastures, orchards, rivers and oceans. But I would also look at what we value; what we celebrate and honour; and what and how we learn for life.

"We need a broader picture of how to craft our learning, economic institutions and tax systems for a more sustainable physical world.

"Above all, we need new values and beliefs to underpin that picture."

Kiwis number just 4 million but the data suggests our rising demand for fuel, minerals, water, and land for housing is unsustainable.

Williams suggests our task is to distinguish between growth and development, quantity and quality, as identified in 1989 by noted economist Herman Daily, who said: "Growth of the economic organism means larger jaws and a bigger digestive track. Development means more complete digestion and wiser purposes."

In the wake of the tsunami, many New Zealanders have been frustrated that they could only make a cash donation. Many would have loved to hop on the next plane and get stuck in with spade and broom, hammer and nails, caring and kindness.

But an urge to make a difference can be harnessed at home.

Our biggest challenge, says Williams, is to sustain and advance quality of life without constantly expanding the physical economy. It requires major changes in how we view the world - our values and beliefs - and our social and economic systems.

It's not an academic exercise. Many projects and initiatives are under way. All need more pairs of hands.

Through the year this column will fossick out the inspirational and the needy, to show where we can help make a difference.

Our planet doesn't need us but we sure need it.