Nature is speaking…
One of my most urgent messages to you about our connection with nature is that it is a gift from our Creator and an essential part of our physical and spiritual well-being. That’s a day-in-day-out reality.
…but are we listening?
Thinking longer term, however, if we don’t strive to protect our natural resources and work towards a sustainable planet, the consequences for our children and grandchildren are dire.
Conservation International gives voice to Nature
Julia Roberts, Harrison Ford, Kevin Spacey, Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz, Robert Redford, and Ian Somerhalder all joined forces to give nature a voice. Enjoy this first in the series: the voice of Julie Roberts as Mother Nature, courtesy of Conservation International. I’ve just discovered this amazing series of videos and will be sharing them over the next few weeks.
If you don’t want to wait, you can watch the films and take action at the Conservation International website.
You know I prefer high-minded, positive thinking, but I don’t believe we can ignore the core message of this video. Nature will survive human beings, no matter what they do, but human beings may not survive themselves if they don’t find a way to live more sustainably.
How seriously you take this message will be reflected in a myriad of everyday choices of what you do, how you live, what you buy, and who you vote for. We can’t rely on technology to get us out of this. It will take determination, sacrifice, and commitment.
In spite of my conviction, there are a thousand ways I am wasteful or negligent when it comes to sustainable living, but the best we can do is do better, one day at a time.
Please share ways you’ve found that can help us all do this better. No idea is too small or inconsequential.
Love, Fear, Wisdom, And The Exquisite Beauty Of The World Around You
“I don’t really need people” [says Mother Nature]…wow. This earth really does not need us. We need it. It would probably be better without us. Unless we make serious compromises. Now.
That part really zapped me too, Karen. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Thank you for sharing this series, Elizabeth! I wasn’t aware of it but wow! Powerful stuff. In our house, we sort and recycle everything carefully. We’re also becoming very picky about how much plastic we buy. We look for alternatives not wrapped in plastic or made with plastic parts whenever possible. We buy local as much as we can to reduce the carbon footprint. Lots of small things but if we all did a little, it would make a big difference.
For those of us who are writers, we have a powerful tool that can create change — stories that are up close and personal. The story of Cecil the Lion showed us just how powerful the personal can be. Nothing changed until people cared. People cared because they ‘knew’ Cecil. Now they’re talking about endangered species and trophy hunting. The airlines changed their practices. Let’s share more stories!
Bravo, Aprille! The story of Cecil the Lion is a fantastic example. You said “People cared because they ‘knew’ Cecil.” That is precisely why I feel so strongly about encouraging readers to strengthen their connection with nature. Until we’re family with someone or someone—until we “know” them—it is hard to feel an emotional connection with them. And until we care, we won’t take the action necessary to protect.
Thank you so much for the examples of what you and your family do. We recycle too, and I’m trying to resist the convenience of individually wrapped items. I was also inspired by the examples of Austin, Texas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, who have banned plastic bags to force everyone to bring their own re-usable grocery sacks to the store. This is just a matter of getting in the habit of putting your bags back in the car after you empty them at home so they’ll be there the next time you stop.