Hail Brave Hearts
April 22 is Earth Day and who deserves it more? The fabulous creativity of this great planet, so full of awesome wonder. A place for all of us, great and small. This magnificent planet, orbiting in a universe of immense space, with no other planet as creative. No one, but our own great planet, with the perfect combination of everything, to give life like the life we live. We are the fortunate ones, who live so bountifully, in a universe otherwise devoid of life.
A planet which takes care of us, from nutrition, to clothing, to shelter. A planet which provides adventure, excitement and discovery. A planet which feeds our brains with discovery, curiosity and aptitude. A planet with feeds our bodies with nourishment, mastery and skills. The ability to care for ourselves and each other, not just the human, but all of the Earths creatures, adapting to their environments and thriving in a world for themselves.
Earth 101 | National Geographic (youtube.com)
But the dark side of life is looming, as war, climate change and global warming threaten us. Pesticides, pollutants, emissions and spills, make us and the environment unhealthy. Environmental agencies race to save a species in peril, but environmental change and disasters are increasing, leaving destruction in their wake. Costly clean up efforts abound, as earthquake, volcanic eruptions, hurricane and tornadoes, sweep across the planet, ruining much. It leaves us in peril.
Our responsibility in saving ourselves is immense. Our duties are the highest. We must act in a manner which protects the Earth and the environment, in order to save ourselves. Our actions are loud and sometimes scary. We plunder and fight, killing much and leaving destruction all around us, destroying ourselves, the environments that save us, the soil, water and air. War is killing so much. Our obligations are high. We are not alone on this great planet. We share with so many other creatures, that all of our self destruction, ruins other species as well. Sometimes nothing can be repaired. The loss of a species, the vanishing rivers, increasing deserts, soil erosion and increasing glacial melting. Once gone, these might never return.
Our duty of care is enormous. Only one great planet, only one place in this universe for us. This is our home and our destiny. Live and die.
The escalating loss of wildlife and wilderness torments us. Forest fires and drought ruin habitat necessary for natural species and for us. The natural world is Earth’s world. Plunder and die.
Of course, there’s always the bright side of life. The wholesome side, where each of us makes that important decision to save our planet, every day. Some small initiatives like reduce, reuse, recycle can make large impacts if supported by large numbers of people. Reducing the square footprint of housing, turning down the thermostat, driving less and walking more or taking public transport. Clean air and clean water are healthy for us, and are healthy for the Earth as well.
Celebrate this Earth Day with gladness. Planetary health is essential for us. Saving our world saves ourselves.
Happy Earth Day.
written by Dr. Louise Hayes
April 21, 2024