Terra. Our planet. Third planet from the sun, fifth largest in our solar system and 6,378Km around the the middle. Home to millions of species, and the only planet we know of (as yet) that can sustain life. Life first appeared on Earth 3.4 billion years ago, when our atmosphere was considerably different from today. Since that time our climate has changed in natural cycles, helping along the processes of evolution and speciation, creating the millions of species that cohabit this planet today.
There are around 6.8 billion humans here, sharing this planet with the birds and the bees and all that deep-sea coral. We have the ability to control not only our thoughts and actions, but also the environment around us. As we've evolved we've refined this ability, manipulated, used and even abused this green planet of ours, allowing us to become the most successful species that has ever lived on Earth. But this is all coming full circle. It is becoming abundantly clear, we are stewards here, not masters, and everyone who lives here needs to take more steps to take care of our home. It'll take a lot to reverse much of the damage we, as a species, have done, but it's not insurmountable, and each and everyone of us can make steps in the right direction.
Today is "Earth Day". Forty years ago today, around 20 million americans protested the deterioration of the environment and demanded that we all be held accountable for reducing pollution and damage to our planet. In 1990 Earth Day went global and today, virtually every country on this planet participates, pledging to give voice to the planet and raise awareness on the things we need to be doing to secure a future for our children. So take a moment today to think of the ways you are limiting your impact on the planet, and the ways you can do more to limit your impact. I know I will. And I say again, no one person can do everything, but everyone can do something.
3 comments:
And i am old enough to remember the first Earth Day--and the book display I made for the library in which I was working at the time! I am not sure how far we have progressed since then or rather, if we have progressed at all! More of us re-cycle now, but then there is all that extra packaging that we are dealing with. I am not sure that it balances out! during a recent visit to Costa Rica I was impressed to learn that the government has established the goal of achieving no carbon emissions by 2020! And all seem to be participating. There were all sorts of recycle bins everywhere; we never once used a paper cup or plate...but then, there are the ubiquitous plastic water bottles...
I'm so glad to hear that about Costa Rica! Last time I was there (2005 I think), and my trips previously, I was always a little disappointed - here was this beautiful country, advertising eco-tours and it's gorgeous rainforest, and there was trash on pretty much every street. It's so wonderful to hear they are turning it around!
such a 1970 kind of thing to start. so glad it did. i should read more about why they chose april 22. a very nice post!
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