On Earth Day 2024, how (in-form-ed) are we about this miraculous sphere on which we exist? Have we stopped long enough to recognize that the sciences of botany, biology, chemistry, and physics have taught us that humans, along with all species that dwell on this Earth, are a part of a global bio-spiritual embryogenesis? As such, we must cognitively recognize that as a whole (let’s call it “Ο”) if we destroy any part of “O”, we are damaging ourselves. Do we realize that during the 4.6 billion years that the Earth has existed, that information about “O” has accumulated in such a manner that we are now aware, that we are aware, and that awareness can either save us as a species or alternatively, can propel our destructive tendencies to annihilation?
In his last book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Stephen Hawking warns of eminent destruction.
The Earth is under threat from so many areas that it is difficult for me to be positive. The threats are too big and too numerous.
We have presented our planet with the disastrous gift of climate change. Rising temperatures, reduction of the polar ice caps, deforestation, over-population, disease, war, famine, lack of water and decimation of animal species; these are all solvable but so far have not been solved.
Global warming is caused by all of us. We want cars, travel and a better standard of living. The trouble is, by the time people realize what is happening, it may be too late.
We need to go beyond the Kyoto Protocol; the international agreement adopted in 1997, and cut carbon emissions now. We have the technology. We need the political will.
On that grim outlook, let’s turn to a message of hope by embracing selected words by Walt Whitman:
I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars,
And the pismire is equally perfect, and a grain of sand, and the egg of the wren,
And the tree-toad is a chef-d’œuvre for the highest,
And the running blackberry would adorn the parlors of heaven,
And the narrowest hinge in my hand puts to scorn all machinery,
And the cow crunching with depress’d head surpasses any statue,
And a mouse is miracle enough to stagger sextillions of infidels.
Smile O voluptuous cool-breath’d earth!
Earth of the slumbering and liquid trees!
Earth of departed sunset—earth of the mountains misty-top!
Earth of the vitreous pour of the full moon just tinged with blue!
Earth of shine and dark mottling the tide of the river!
Earth of the limpid gray of clouds brighter and clearer for my sake!
Far-swooping elbow’d earth—rich apple-blossom’d earth!
Smile, for your lover comes.
Let us, therefore, muster all our creativity, commitment, and labor to preserve the life forces that brought us into existence. We must cherish our streams, rivers, oceans; we must appreciate the air that we breathe and strive to keep it clean and clear. We must harness the energy in the sun and wind, and stop raping and polluting the soil.
May we have a reverence for all living creatures and embrace “Ο”.
CPW
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