Global nuclear war, the hole in the ozone layer, global warming, three ways that the human race has created the potential to have or actually had an extremely detrimental effect on the planet and subsequently, our own ability to exist. Are there more? It seems to me that while it is clear to us that we have the power to significantly alter the world to our own detriment, we fail to recognize the fact that we have to begin at some point to understand at all times the effect we are having.
I suppose that it is easy to simply argue that we can not be expected to walk on eggshells regarding progress or development in fear that we might be hurting our environment. But I'm not talking about walking around on eggshells and putting an end to or significantly stalling progress, I'm talking about developing our awareness of the things we take for granted and the effect we have on them. And I think that we will find greater progress through understanding the things we have to gain from this awareness and all of the many resources that are available to us and will continue to be available to us if we take care of them.
Interestingly or ironically, it seems to me that the answer lies with the Native American culture our society worked so hard to wipe out. The answer lies in their value of and extreme respect for the earth that sustained their lives. That is clearly not the only source, but I think its an important one.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
hmmm. have i done enough? if i die today, have i done enough to not only become "aware" of what i have taken for granted, have i walked forward effectively with that awareness or did i stay stuck with that awareness. honestly, i've done nothing to walk forward with what little awareness i've allowed in regarding the environment. i don't litter, i suppose that's good since i live in a state that spends money on the signs "don't mess with texas" however, i have worked on some lessons so as to not have to walk on eggshells as you so finely put it. and i will have you know i spent a couple of formulative years walking/stumbling on eggshells. one day i was given permission to be honest. now i did not fully embrace that gift or permission on that day or the next few days..it was a process for me. it was more difficult to live with the gift of honesty then it was to give birth, pay restitution (and that was a lot of money), taking one day and time, and learning how to be a friend of a guy named Bill. but through some hard spent effort, i finally learned to tell the truth. that has carried me forward with a strong stride, one that does not include eggshells. i can do a lot now because of the choice to live with lesson learned regarding living with and by honesty. and honestly, i don't use my recycling bin.
Post a Comment