I'm sure some will not agree with this writing. Please remember, we all gather our information in different ways. Our experiences, surroundings and upbringing plays a huge part in what we believe in or not and makes us individuals. Do not look at this as anything other than my opinion, as we are each entitled to our own.
I have been reading a lot of information on the environment. Global warming, the world water crisis (www.whaledreamers.com), recycling, etc. All the issues regarding the environment, at least in the civilized societies all over the world, seem to be directly related. I see some people are learned and know what they are talking about. I don't know if I believe something drastic needs to be done, as it has become such a political debate. There are scientists on both sides of the global warming issue, and I don't know whether to believe "Mr. It's All OK" or "Mr. Chicken Little". I never expect to see the future devastation that is being projected, as I will probably be long gone from this world. I DO believe that we all have a responsibility to take care of God's Earth, and try to leave some part of it in better condition than the way we found it. We've got to come together to stop unacceptable events that kills life on our planet.
I may be repeating myself, but I've witnessed, first hand, the devastation in Haiti. I was so blessed to work with The Sisters of Mercy at an orphanage in Central Haiti (www.sistersofmercy.org). My heart aches, and I get on the verge of tears with just a few days of memories of this country. At this orphanage, all are discarded children, not from society, but their families, for the sole reason, they do not know how to nor have the means to take care of a sick baby. Half of the babies are doomed, most with tuberculosis and other terminal diseases. The other half of the children, that may have a glimmer of hope, are far from healthy. Bellies protruding from constant hunger, with some having to be taught again how to eat, as they have forgotten, because their bodies have adapted to starvation. Once luscious black hair of the natives, is lightened to orange or blond, by drinking water that is basically sewage. Some screaming from pain, all with the same haunting sad eyes of desertion. The few fortunate that survive are educated by the admirable Sisters. Below the floor of the orphanage are the Haitian indigents that the Sisters also take in. Some crazy, with their eyes wandering, some screaming, some lost. All are cared for, and some work for the "asylum" with laundry duties, helping to care for the babies, making beds, gardening or cleaning.
The land is barren, as the Haitians have deforested the entire country by cutting down most every tree. The wood is needed for cooking and after years of horrible reigns of greedy government crap politicians, the Haitians have continued to suffer. She has been hit by hurricanes, with devastating rains that run off the mountains, collecting more mud, as there are no trees or plants, so zero erosion control. The coasts are complete mud and silt, where the ocean's ecosystem is completely gone and no longer can the natives fish off the shore. Since none of them can afford safe homes, food, clean water or medicines, a boat to fish, away from the disaster coast is impossible. Overwhelmed with the sense of "what the hell am I doing here?" and "what difference could my unworthy self possibly make to the Haitians?", I cried for months after returning. (http://www.pih.org/home.html)
In the past year, I came to the conclusion that I could no longer go to Haiti. Though I have been in cancer remission for six years, I was terribly ill when I returned from that fateful trip, and, personally, do not want to risk my abnormal immune system to it again. I can't help at all if I'm sick or dead.
We've got to come together to stop unacceptable events that kills life on our planet. So I finally realized God may have wanted me there to show me that people, so geographically close to the US, are in dire need, and how fortunate he has made my life. I've realized, although it was short, it was something I needed to witness. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and holding babies, just to make them comfortable until their death, was just something He needed me to experience, maybe for the reason of spreading the word, if anything at all. Maybe it was to change my habits or appreciate the home, healthy children or being loved unconditionally. I was and still am so humbled. (http://bellsouthpwp2.net/a/d/addison_t/home_twinningprogram.htm)
The past year, I have realized that the crisis in Haiti can happen anywhere. No, our generation did not start the Industrial Revolution, but the population afterward have added to the pollution and disregard for Earth. The generations before us did not realize many things, but our generations are more educated. For all of our problems, whatever they are, we must have education first. Realizing that we are doing something incorrectly, then begin again, is absolutely the best place to start. I see the new education to the Haitians in the small community with the small ministry, teaching them the elementary things we take for granted. Clean water, and how and why they need it, brushing their teeth, washing their hands with soap, especially after normal bodily functions - very basic things we were taught when we were little children. HIV and AIDS can be controlled, if diagnosed and medical attention is available. The deforestation has taken a huge toll on the country too, so learning to plant and not take the trees for burning and selling "coal" is essential.
We've got to come together to stop unacceptable events that kills life on our planet.
What if we were all responsible for a piece of green space? One small piece could begin in our own homes. A maintained yard with trees is standard in our society, but some don't realize and appreciate the simplicity of photosynthesis, and it is needed for every living thing on Earth. Live in a city apartment? Plant something on the balcony or window. No time for anything, plant aloe or a cactus or bamboo in a planter. All you have to do is ignore it and they all grow. Recycle something - anything! We recycled all of the kids' things they grew out of, and still do. When they have something from their homes, we sell it on ebay. We've turned ugly junk into usable and nice items. As adults, they've learned to do the same, because that's the way they were taught. I drive a very small car that gets 46 MPG. We fill up our gas tanks after 6:00 pm, when less toxic fumes are emitted. We take care of our cars, so they run efficiently. Our dryer broke three months ago, and caught me off guard. I am still drying clothes on the line. It keeps the house cooler and our air conditioning doesn't run as much or as long those two days a week.
Living in the Southern part of the US, and very unlike the Midwest, we have had a drought for the past few years. Water is a prized commodity here, especially now in the middle of summer. We have a garden and as I've watch it grow in the past few years, it's developed its own ecosystem. There are animals, birds and insects we have never had before, calling our garden home. We use recycled water. With a recommendation from friends, we are now recycling water from our air conditioner. We recycle water from a dehumidifier in the basement. We collect rain water. We now recycle aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard, at the insistence of our vegan daughter (The Baby). We live on a natural habitat and have planted many additional bushes and trees, most growing from seeds or the tiniest of seedlings. We grow strawberries, blueberries, apples, tomatoes, peppers and lemons and seven different types of herbs. We are now planting potted orange trees, and this fall, peach and cherry trees, and a few more vegetables. The citrus comes in during the winter months. All of this maintenance is on a part time basis, as the plants know exactly what to do. We water and do not use pesticides. We work full time and there is not much time we could spend on our green endeavors. Once in the habit, it is extremely simple and a very small change in routine. In every way, it is even more economical.
We've got to come together to stop unacceptable events that kills life on our planet.
There should be no excuse not to do something - any small contribution to help. If we all voluntarily participated, and took on one more effort, we may even be less needy to the oil industry. Political parties have been divided in the past twenty years. The Democratic Party is not necessarily the "green" party, though some people would like to think so. I do not want politicians, in either party, creating more bureaucratic, bourgeois and bullshit laws to try to control the ecosystem any longer. If we all did something, even on a small level, it would change the world forever. It's every person's personal responsibility, in the free societies in the world, to educate themselves, because the information is readily available to everyone. We could serve the people in third world countries better with further knowledge, if ours is in tact and cemented in our lives. It begins with us - our own education and in our own back yards.
We've got to come together to stop unacceptable events that kills life on our planet.
In my opinion, this also includes all "life" issues, but I'll save that argument as we approach November.
"The earth will continue to regenerate its life sources only as long as we and all the peoples of the world do our part to conserve its natural resources. It is a responsibility which every human being shares. Through voluntary action, each of us can join in building a productive land in harmony with nature." -- President Gerald R. Ford (Believe it or not.)
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