Please, Let’s Never Have a Post-Earth Day!: The Significance of Nature to Us

Post-Earth Day could become a reality. It would be a day remembering that there was a planet Earth that once sustained life. Of course, humans wouldn’t be around to remember. That would be aliens, unless we figured out a way to live in space, another planet, or something else that we could destroy, too.
Yes, I’m being sarcastic here; however, after Earth Day yesterday, I can’t help it. The environment and our relationship to it moves me to expose destructive tendencies. The works of the Romantics depended on the relationship of humanity to Nature. We should have a mutually sustainable connection with our creation.
If aliens were to discover us, their assumption would be we hated our environment, that we needed to destroy it for our own survival, that we did it purposefully. We are destroying Earth purposefully.
When deforestation occurs at the current rates, when major dead zones exist in the oceans, when we obliterate species for convenience and pollute water without which we will have no life, then how can we say it’s accidental? How can we have the data and direct observations and doubt the effects of our lifestyles on global warming, air and water pollution, and other negative environmental actions and we do nothing about it?
We are inextricably linked to the environment, ecosystems, species, rain, and every other element of Nature, yet we act as if we are not. Know why? The economy and our lifestyle require certain things. But they don’t. It’s a lie, a big fat greedy, voracious, self-centered lie.
Let me share a personal example. In my neighborhood, a couple years ago on the morning walk with my puppies, I was shocked — as were they in their sniffing — to find that one of a pair of majestic pine trees had been chopped down and the roots ground out, leaving a massive circle of sawdust. Why? A neighbor told me the oil pipeline running beneath that tree was endangered. There was a better solution: the pipeline should have been shut down, dug up, and rerouted.
Oh, that would be stupid and inefficient to most people, business minds, or others who do not know the value of Nature to our life, our sanity, our survival. But it’s the truth. Just like the Dakota Access Pipeline could have been rerouted or discontinued. People argue about our needs, and there’s the rub.
I am not going to make this a treatise, so I will make a few direct statements. We, in general, are not willing to rethink anything that would change our lives, that would be what many consider an inconvenience, that would affect our bank accounts. The whole concept of capitalism and economy need to be rethought and retooled, beginning with giving primary consideration to Nature and equality of all persons. We would see change. Wealthy, powerful, control-freak oligarchs don’t care about the general populace except for how to deceive and maintain control. If the rest of us would focus on the things we live for like Nature, love, light, equality, the value of life and respect for others, things would change. Focus on those positive things.
Seems simple, but it’s not because we are afraid of costs and doubt those who aren’t rich and powerful. Why wouldn’t we prevent the United States government from negating EPA regulations or allowing private corporate takeover and development of national parks? Or from furthering destroying Native American lands and cultures? Because we believe the lies, lies that proclaim we need to make America great, that jobs can’t be sacrificed for such trivial concerns as water or air pollution. We would find a way, but we have to focus on those larger concerns and then all else will follow, no matter what the liars say. We need to make this planet great again, and we need to each awaken to Heart and create our own employment opportunities and not leave our fate in the hands of, well, liars.
I want to leave this evening with words from a Native American who lived from 1868–1939, knew the Native American ways as an Oglala Lakota Sioux, the tribe of current Water Protectors, as well as living among and learning the White culture. (I take the following quotes from goodreads.com). Chief Luther Standing Bear communicated these words:
“Wherever forests have not been mowed down, wherever the animal is recessed in their quiet protection, wherever the earth is not bereft of four-footed life — that to the white man is an ‘unbroken wilderness.’
“But for us there was no wilderness, nature was not dangerous but hospitable, not forbidding but friendly. Our faith sought the harmony of man with his surroundings; the other sought the dominance of surroundings.
“But we were wise. We knew that man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard.
“Kinship with all creatures of the earth, sky, and water was a real and active principle. In the animal and bird world there existed a brotherly feeling that kept us safe among them… The animals had rights — the right of man’s protection, the right to live, the right to multiply, the right to freedom, and the right to man’s indebtedness. This concept of life and its relations filled us with the joy and mystery of living; it gave us reverence for all life; it made a place for all things in the scheme of existence with equal importance to all.”
Our inextricable link with Nature could inform us about our lives. It’s the way the Romantics dealt with Nature in their works, and the way many of us relate to it today. If the majority, though, does not adopt the attitude and and practices that Luther Standing Bear references above, then someone may very well be soon keeping Post-Earth Day, and the aliens will wonder how we so quickly destroyed such an amazing planet and failed to heed those who shared their Heart, linked so intimately with creation.
We, ourselves, are part of that great creator Spirit. To this fact, we each need to awaken. The light and love must first shine within and from us. Then, we will live in respect, equality, and acceptance for one another and all creation.
Blessings!