The "Three Rs" for Earthsaving

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

"Reading, Writing, "Rithmetic" ("arithmetic" pronounced using poetic license) was a very common expression during the entire Twentieth Century. This little saying referred to the three core subjects elementary school students were required to study and master in the United States:

reading

writing

arithmetic

However today's theme is "The Three Rs for Earthsaving":

Recognizing Quickly

Reacting Quickly

Rectifying Quickly

The eventual scope of many problems is often not understood in advance. Here the old adage "A stitch in time saves nine." also comes into play. Problems do not stay the same: They either get better -- or get worse.

For example, in orthodontics, there is a condition called single tooth anterior cross bite. This typically occurs in the early mixed dentition stage, when some or all of the maxillary and mandibular permanent incisors have erupted. In normal occlusion, all mandibular anterior teeth are positioned lingual to the maxillary interior teeth. Occasionally, however, a mandibular incisor erupts in a manner that makes the tooth occlude labial to the opposing maxillary anterior dentition. When this happens, the mandibular incisor that is in the so-called "cross bite" relationship experiences labially directed forces from the chronic occlusal trauma. This may result in complications such as gingival recession of the affected mandibular incisor, and fractures of the incisal edges of the teeth that are in cross bite. To put this in simple terms, taking care of the problem while it is "small" is the best way to mitigate it, or –- in some cases -- to eliminate it entirely.

As soon as this condition is diagnosed (that is, recognized), it is recommended that it be reacted to, employing "Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment" -- and initiated. Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment typically involves partial fixed orthodontic appliances for approximately 12 months. Once this condition is successfully treated (in other words, rectified), the tooth that had been in cross bite is no longer at risk of developing gingival recession or other complications caused by traumatic occlusion.

This same type of "recognizing quickly, reacting quickly, rectifying quickly" can be applied to an infinite number of problems.

The endangered Northern Spotted Owl has a nemesis more blatantly out to destroy it than even those humans who see it as nothing more than a hindrance to people seeking to benefit from making money by logging out the trees on which the 700-gram bird depends for its home and food:

the barred owl

This invasive species gradually has made its way across the Great Plains, arriving in Oregon some 50 years ago. Now this bird is seeking to displace the Northern Spotted Owl. One way the Barred Owl (BO) -- some 40% heavier than a Northern Spotted Owl -- makes things tough for the Northern Spotted Owl is that the BO's prey includes a wider variety of creatures over and beyond the prey it takes from the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO). This allows the BO to produce litters of 3 to 4 owlets, compared with the 1 or 2 owlets normally produced by the NSO.

Secondly, the BO is more aggressive than the NSO, driving the smaller bird from disputed territory -- and even killing the NSO when it is possible.

Thirdly, the two species can actually interbreed, producing fertile hybrid offspring. Some might argue that hybridization is better than extinction... However, such hybridization will eventually lead to the extinction of NSOs -- just as the hybridization of Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals led to the eventual extinction of Neanderthals.

The solution is simple.

The problem has been recognized. The Barred Owl is going to displace -- and then replace -- the Northern Spotted Owl unless humans react. The reaction is to take the form of monitoring the whereabouts of both birds -- and then of clearing all BOs from areas that become designated protected areas for NSOs. This rectification will provide the Northern Spotted Owl with protection from its invasive nemesis the Barred Owl.

I am quick to note (that is, recognize) that some people like Barred Owls. So I react by countering: It is possible to allow the Barred Owl to live outside of its original range (mainly in the United States, east of the Mississippi River, and into the state of Texas as well -- but not to proliferate to the point where it completely overruns all Northern Spotted Owl territory. In explaining my rationale -- one trusting that most of my fellow Earthlings are rational (as well as compassionate and generous), I have now made it feasible to rectify the Northern Spotted Owl conundrum.

Steve Walker

Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

Recognizing: One of the upper incisors is heading in the wrong direction. Unless treated, this will lead to severe

misalignment.

Reacting: Orthodontic appliances are employed to guide the erupting tooth into a proper direction.

Rectifying completed! Timely intervention has prevented severe malocclusion problems.

Recognizing: As late as 1900 the ranges of the Northern Spotted Owl and the Barred Owl did not intersect.

Recognizing Further; Between 1900 and 2020 the Barred Owl's range expanded until it reached -- and began permeating -- the Northern Spotted Owl's range.

Reacting: Concerned people are now making efforts to protect the NSO, even going so far as to eliminate certain populations of Barred Owls.

Rectifying: Will it happen? With human intervention, it should be possible to clear the Northern Spotted Owl range of Barred Owl populations. (photo of a mother NSO and her two owlets)

© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprise