Dr. John Francis, 79, (at left) is an environmental educator and activist greatest recognized for his dedication to strolling and silence as instruments for elevating consciousness concerning the planet. By many years of strolling, studying, and instructing, Dr. Francis has cultivated a novel perspective on environmentalism, schooling, and the facility of silence.
Dr. Francis, what led you to dedicate your self to environmental schooling?
I used to be born in Philadelphia, however my schooling began with my household dwelling in Concord Village, Virginia. We didn’t have electrical energy or operating water, so the whole lot got here out of a properly. We grew our personal meals and fished within the bay—chickens, eggs, hogs, and all these sorts of issues.
I began studying concerning the surroundings as soon as I moved to California and witnessed an oil spill. There was an oil spill in San Francisco Bay, my first time seeing an environmental insult up shut that affected a big space. That’s after I actually began enthusiastic about the surroundings and our impression on it.
What impressed your determination to cease using in automobiles and decide to strolling all over the place?
An oil spill in San Francisco Bay was my first time actually, personally, up shut and private, seeing an environmental insult that took over a big space. And that’s after I actually began wanting on the surroundings and our impression on it, what it meant.
That’s after I gave up using in automobiles and began strolling. And I assume it was just a few months after that, on my twenty seventh birthday, I made a decision to take a one-day vow of silence, which lasted for 17 years. And through that silence is when my actual schooling concerning the surroundings and the planet, life, and all that’s necessary actually started. (Dr. Francis, at proper, in strolling mode)
How did folks react to your determination to stroll all over the place?
I feel at first, folks thought I used to be just a little unusual. However over time, folks got here to just accept it. Strolling modified the best way I skilled the world and the way folks interacted with me. I discovered that folks had been kinder, possibly due to the silence, the strolling, and the way that affected me—and the way that allowed folks to narrate to me in a really type approach.”
Did you battle with the challenges of not utilizing automobiles, particularly whereas pursuing your schooling?
It took me two years to stroll to the College of Montana for my grasp’s diploma. Once I obtained there, they made me a resident of Montana as a result of it had taken me so lengthy to reach. They mentioned, ‘We’ve been getting mail for you right here, so that you’re a resident,’ they usually gave me in-state tuition. As a result of I didn’t have cash, the environmental research program director gave me $100 to register for one credit score, which let me matriculate within the faculty.
When the Coast Guard later provided me a job serving to to put in writing oil air pollution rules, they known as and mentioned, ‘We’d such as you to return to Washington.’ I mentioned, ‘I don’t fly on planes.’ They mentioned, ‘When you take a prepare, we are able to reimburse you.’ And I mentioned, ‘I don’t take trains both.’ There was this lengthy pause, after which they requested, ‘Dr. Francis, you don’t journey in automobiles both, do you?’ I mentioned, ‘No, I don’t.’ They usually mentioned, ‘How will you get right here?’ I advised them I may journey my bicycle. The subsequent day, they known as again and mentioned, ‘Our boss mentioned we completely must have you ever. How lengthy will it take so that you can get right here?’ I advised them about two months, they usually mentioned, ‘We’ll be ready.’
What led you to finally began utilizing automobiles, primarily hybrid?
By the point I used to be in South America, I had been strolling for many years. However at a sure level, I noticed that utilizing transportation in a purposeful approach may nonetheless align with my mission. So, after I was strolling throughout Venezuela, I began utilizing motorized automobiles to return backwards and forwards whereas persevering with my journey on foot. That was a giant shift, however it allowed me to maintain partaking with the world whereas nonetheless honoring the teachings I had realized via strolling.
How did your vow of silence form your expertise in greater schooling and journey? How did establishments accommodate your distinctive strategy to studying?
I used to be truly a university dropout as much as that time, and after I went again to highschool, not talking, is after I grew to become very severe about studying. My long-term objective was to stroll and sail across the planet as a part of my schooling, within the spirit and hope that I may very well be a profit to mankind.
I had spent six years in silence, and it was famous within the media, so folks knew about me and accepted that it wasn’t only a joke however a perception and a follow. My professors appreciated the a part of me listening.
On the College of Montana, the environmental research program director gave me $100 to register for one credit score, which let me matriculate within the faculty for one credit score. He then mentioned, ‘You’re going to South America, aren’t you?’ I had no thought. Then he mentioned, ‘How about learning the rivers, lakes, and hydrological programs of South America for one credit score?’ I agreed, which obtained me a key to an workplace as a graduate pupil, entry to the library, and permission from professors to take their lessons.
What classes did silence educate you?
I feel I managed as an African American strolling throughout America as a result of folks had been type. Perhaps it was the silence and strolling that affected me and allowed folks to narrate to me kindly, exhibiting me how kindness may transcend politics, race, and social standing—issues that separate us.
I used to be reminded on a regular basis that America is constructed from taking from the Native folks, after which constructed on slavery. And, you realize, I don’t need to maintain folks accountable for that, as a result of it’s additionally a part of that separation that we—we separate one another, and I need to transcend that.
How are your plans to stroll throughout Africa progressing?
I needed to wait till my youngest son, who had simply turned 18 and was prepared for school. My spouse mentioned, “It’s best to do what you must do,” and I made a decision to return to strolling throughout Africa.
In 2022, I went to Kenya to survey the chances, having by no means been to the continent. Africa is big—a lot greater than it seems to be on a map. In 2023, a pal in Cape City, South Africa, invited me to start out the stroll there and helped me with the primary 100 miles. I started strolling from Cape City to Cairo that 12 months, and I’ve been persevering with ever since. By July, I plan to return for 3 months. Up to now, I’ve walked to Beaufort West, South Africa, and I’m heading towards Gaborone, Botswana.
The stroll is for youngsters, offering pop-up clinics for distant healthcare. I take advantage of a assist automobile, a Toyota Land Cruiser with tents and 4-wheel drive, and stroll about 15 miles a day.
What does “growing old with perspective” imply to you?
If somebody says, ‘Nicely, what do you consider growing old?‘ I’m going, ‘I like it. And I at all times did.’ I like it as a result of I’ve been on the planet for therefore lengthy, and I’ve way more to study and extra steps to take, so I’m going to take these. I’m going to maintain my thoughts open, and I’m going to maintain transferring so long as I can.
Study extra about Planet Stroll at planetwalk.org.
NaBeela Washington, an rising Black author, holds a Grasp’s in Artistic Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire College and Bachelor’s in Visible Promoting from The College of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been printed in Eater, The Cincinnati Overview, and others. Study extra at nabeelawashington.com.
All Pictures: Courtesy of PlanetWalk
