Are we as a community plugged into the reality of the greater Richmond area's eco-health? Katie Couric, news anchor for CBS, recently asked a presidential candidate his opinion of our nation's environmental crisis. Because he replied that he thought the issue was more hype than reality, I could not help but examine this question.

When I recall the activities that inspired my eco-commitment, I recall childhood memories of times spent with my grandparents. I recall walking the low-ground areas of their farm, treading through fields of black-eye Susan flowers. I recall the memory of two people that were never too busy to answer an inquisitive child's question.

Recently, as I read Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods," I was reminded of the dwindling opportunity of such a childhood, of the fragility of Virginia's green heritage. So, when I hear someone characterize present-day environmental issues as hype, I cringe.

We live in an era in which we honor someone with the Nobel Peace Prize for his focus on creating an awareness of global warming and, at the same time, have the potential of electing a president who views environmental issues as hype. Are we experiencing an eco-crisis or are we unplugged from reality?

A recent survey conducted by the National Gardening Bureau reports only 3 of 12 eco-friendly practices are used by more than 50 percent of all U.S. households. Similarly, forestry data reports an ongoing loss of 10 percent of our nation's forest every 10 years.

Still, regardless of this statistical data, it was a media insert published by USA Today titled "Is there anywhere safe to live?" that brought home the gravity of this situation for me.

Published April 20, 2006, the full-page insert reports bad weather brewing from blizzards to heat waves. Across the nation, we face the prospect of ongoing natural disasters fueled by unhealthy shifts in the environment. Worldwide during 2005, there was almost a 20 percent increase in natural disasters. Nationally, we experienced wildfires that consumed more than 3½ times the acreage of prior years.

As I reviewed the report, I saw a repeated U.S. map depicted region by region that showed the increase in blizzards, snowstorms, earthquakes, flash floods, monsoons, tornadoes, hailstorms, heat waves, hurricanes, typhoons, ice storms, thunderstorms, lightning, tsunamis, nor'easters, river valley flooding, volcanic eruptions and wildfires.

For many, a disaster must occur in their backyard for it to be real. So, let me make this connection. When I recently attended a public hearing on the topic of labeling our community's wetlands hazard areas, I heard described significant change in the quantity of flood waters, areas flooding that had never flooded before, fallen trees that litter creek banks and accounts of raw sewage seeping into the James River.

Richard Louv attributes public apathy, the lack of being plugged in, to a population that is more tuned into the "world web" than the world of green that surrounds them. As a test of his theory, I conducted a so-to-speak unofficial survey of my neighbors' use of a view for which I am the caretaker.

Located in Richmond's West End, this property is one of the few remaining green corridors. In the center is an 8 acre lake that combined with the surrounding green provides a habitat.

Completely wrapped by urban/suburban development, the abutting home lots were purchased because of the area's scenic view at a premium price. Still, as I survey these properties, I record a startling result.

Only 31 percent of the abutting properties appear to actively participate in outdoor recreation. An equal 31 percent not only severely neglect, but also litter their space with discarded vehicles and trash. The remaining 38 percent, although not neglected, did not reflect use. If my neighborhood is typical of the metropolitan area, I'd say Louv's theory is accurate.

Louv responded to the situation by founding the Children & Nature Network, www.cnaturenet.org, a consolidated effort by policy makers, business leaders, researchers, physicians, parents, educators, agencies and other organizations that focus on the eco-influence of the well-being and health of children.

As a community, what is our response? Are we participating in similar activities, part of the 31 percent who actively use outdoor green? Or are we part of the 31 percent who litter and neglect or the 38 percent that remain apathetic? As a community, do we consider present-day environmental issues hype or reality?

Related to "greening" your neighborhood, are you aware of what is and is not working? To share your comments, ideas or strategies, contact me at syhwright@msn.com or leave a comment below. Together, let's create a series of column topics that assist the "greening" of our community: move outdoor spaces from eco-weak to eco-chic, creating a legacy of healthy green.

w LAST TIME OUT: The debut of Eco-weak to Eco-chic.