For 17 years i maintained a vow of silence to better learn to listen, and walked across north america. It was a common topic that year in my class during current events all those awful pictures of the poor animals covered in oil made quite an impression on me. John francis biography, married, wife, environmentalist, national geographic, net worth john francis a k a planetwalker is famous for his vow of not taking motor vehicle and vow of silence which lasted for 22 and 17 years respectively he is famous for his works in oil spill management. When i heard an in depth sunday morning radio interview by bob edwards i sent for both books right away. John has led environmental walks in many countries and consulted on environmental management and sustainable development. For almost three decades, john francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a message of environmental respect and responsibility for 10 of those years without. Sf environment is featuring african american environmentalists during black history month. For almost three decades, john francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a message of environmental respect and responsibility for 17 of those years without speaking. Im also known as the planetwalker, because after witnessing an oil spill near the golden gate bridge in san francisco bay i gave up the use of motorized vehicles for 22years to take some responsibility for the mess washing up on the shore. Francis has continued to be an environmental activist.
Planetwalker is the inspirational and engaging story of one mans silent walk across america to raise environmental consciousness and promote world peace. Sep 02, 2008 author of chronicles and characters of the stock exchange, history of the bank of england, a history of the english railway vol1, beyond the brass plate, planetwalker, dales law, gumboot practice, black students and higher education. Jun 25, 2015 this lecture by national geographic explorer john francis, known around the world as the planetwalker, is organized by the qualcomm institutes john graham, who is a member of the planetwalk board. Celebrating black environmentalists during black history month. I wasnt alive yet, but i was alive during the whole exxon valdez horror in 1989.
Francis, known the world over as the planetwalker, will discuss how the current environmental crisis is a reflection of worldwide social and economic inequity and that any attempt to resolve the crisis must not only address the scientific issues, but also the humanitarian issues. He travels around the world speaking on pilgrimage and change, and on planetlines, an environmental studies curriculum based on the walking pilgrimage, which he is developing for k12 schools and universities. Mar 28, 2011 francis is a national geographic education fellow. When the struggle to save oilsoaked birds and restore blackened beaches left him feeling frustrated. Mar 01, 2005 john francis was witness to the 1971 oil spill in the san francisco bay. For almost three decades, john francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a message of environmental respect and responsibility. This lecture by national geographic explorer john francis, known around the world as the planetwalker, is organized by the qualcomm institutes john graham, who. Nov 21, 2014 for almost three decades, john francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a silent message of environmental responsibility. John francis biography, married, wife, environmentalist. John francis s worldwide pilgrimage that works to transcend cultural, social and political boundaries by fostering communication between. Aa a young man, john francis witnessed the devastating effects of a 1971 oil spill in san francisco bay.
Francis and an online reading guide for planetwalker. Planetwalker how to change your world one step at a time book. John francis stopped travelling in cars and began walking wherever he went during the 1970s, often travelling vast distances with a backpack and banjo. Environmental activist john francis spent 22 years on a journey across america, mostly on foot and deliberately without the aid of motorized devices. John francis, tell his story about a year ago and i was intrigued. So many people are doing amazing work on environmental issues from urban and rural agriculturists to environmental justice advocates to naturalists to scientists. Apr 21, 2009 john francis planetwalker, along with his the ragged edge of silence are quietly thoughtful, inspiring and important little known books about individual responses to environmental concerns.
John francis environmental work began in 1971, when he witnessed a tanker collision and oil spill in san francisco bay. John francis will tell you the journey is the thing, not the destination. When the struggle to save oilsoaked birds and restore blackened beaches left him feeling frustrated and helpless, john francis decided to take a more fundamental. Author of chronicles and characters of the stock exchange, history of the bank of england, a history of the english railway vol1, beyond the brass plate, planetwalker, dales law, gumboot practice, black students and higher education.
Born the son of a west indian immigrant in north philadelphia, john overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles on his walk from the california coast to the new jersey shore. John francis born 1946 is an american environmentalist nicknamed the planetwalker. John francis speakers bureau and booking agent info. It began as a silent environmental protest, but as a young africanamerican man, walking across the country in the early 1970s, his idea of the environment expanded beyond concern about pollution and loss of habitat to include how we humans treat each other and how we can better communicate and work together to benefit the earth. John francis planetwalker, along with his the ragged edge of silence are quietly thoughtful, inspiring and important little known books about individual responses to environmental concerns. It was then that he gave up the use of motorized vehicles and began to walk. Through his silence and walking he learned to listen. He started walking because he felt partly responsible for the mess that washed up on the shore. John francis is known the world over as the planetwalker and was appointed the united nations environment programs goodwill ambassador to the worlds grassroots communities. Along with six fellow ambassadors who use their time, talents and energy to. Environmentalist dr john francis 17 years of silence speaks. It caused him to reflect on how as a society, we are so dependent on oil for transportation francis decided that he would no longer use any sort of motorized transportation.
John francis librarything catalog your books online. Planetwalker 22 years of walking 17 years of silence. Adulthigh schoolfrancis was green before it was the popular thing to be. Out of his personal conviction to be an environmental practitioner, he didnt speak for 17 years and didnt ride in motorized vehicles for 20 years. Francis witnessed a massive oil spill in the san francisco bay in 1971. Since john francis began using motorized vehicles to return to and from his walking pilgrimage he speaks and consult with a variety of audiences around the world, including redefining environment for the travel and tourism industry, introducing the role of ethical advisor. In the near future, he hopes to continue to promote planet walk, an environmental programme for young people. John francis archives sou news sou news home sou news. Planet walker 22 years of walking, 17 years of silence. Planetwalker, john francis shop online for books in. Care at all about the earth and your contribution to keeping it healthy and vibrant. He travels around the world speaking on pilgrimage and change, and on planetlines, an environmental studies curriculum based on the walking pilgrimage.
An amazing humaninterest story with a vital message, planetwalker is also an engaging comingofage pilgrimage. When the struggle to save oilsoaked birds and restore blackened beaches left him feeling frustrated and helpless, john francis decided to take a more fundamental and personal stand. To learn to listen better, john took a 17year vow of silence. Nov 06, 2008 for almost three decades, john francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a message of environmental respect and responsibility for 10 of those years without. In 1991, for his work in raising environmental consciousness, john francis known the world over as the planetwalker, was appointed the united nations environment programs goodwill ambassador to the worlds grassroots communities. After witnessing the devastation caused by the 1971 san francisco bay oil spill, he stopped riding in motorized vehicles, a vow which lasted 22 years from 1972 until 1994. Francis has two suggestions for things we can do to improve the world. I heard about john francis when i was researching quest stories for my latest book. John francis is an environmentalist nicknamed the planetwalker.
Apr 24, 2005 environmentalist john francis, walking the walk environmental activist john francis spent 22 years on a journey across america, mostly on foot and deliberately without the aid of motorized devices. John francis is an environmentalist and author of two books. A few months later, he took a vow of silence that lasted seventeen years. For the next 22 years, he trekked and sailed around north and south america, carrying a message of respect for the earth for 17 of those years, without speaking. He has also published two books on his experience, including planetwalker. John francis is founder and director of the non profit environmental education organization planetwalk, and author of planetwalker. For almost three decades, john francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a silent message of environmental responsibility. Ashland, ore southern oregon university welcomes john francis 81 back to campus this week. He started the planet walker nonprofit to continue to help educate communities on environmental concerns. One day in 1983, john francis stepped out on a walk. Planetwalk will sponsor walks nationally and internationally with the purpose of promoting environmental education and responsibility and a vision of world peace and cooperation.
When i heard an in depth sunday morning radio interview by bob edwards i sent for both books. The national geographic society will republish planetwalker, april 2008. During his monumental, silent trek, he earned an ma in environmental studies and a phd in land resources. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read planetwalker. Planetwalker, environmentalist, author, motivational speaker and southern oregon university alumnus john francis will return to sou on thursday, feb. He travels around the world speaking on pilgrimage and change, and on planetlines, an environmental studies curriculum based on the w. John francis has 129 books on goodreads with 3368 ratings. Born in philadelphia, the son of a west indian immigrant, he moved to marin county, california as a young man. In 1971, he witnessed an oil spill in san francisco bay, stopped using motorized vehicles, and began to walk. Environmentalist dr john francis 17 years of silence. Soon after embarking on this quest that would span two decades and two continents, the young man took a vow of silence that endured for 17 years. He stopped using motorized transportation and began walking everywhere. Environmentalist john francis, walking the walk environmental activist john francis spent 22 years on a journey across america, mostly on foot.
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