Happy "Earth Day" to you, Earth, and nature. Earth Day is meant to be a time to celebrate the Earth and the Life that we know as nature. So how might we celebrate this Earth we live on? I would like to offer a humble suggestion.
How about spending some time with nature? How often do we go to as natural a place as we can locate and just settle into the natural rhythms, observe the natural activities, and sense the ever shifting sensory tapestry there? We are organic products of Earth’s nature. We are connected to it through an array of senses and sensory attractions, but we often fail to exercise those sensory abilities – to our great detriment. Many people would say that there is no place near them where nature is abundant. True. So sadly true, but there is nowhere that you can live that is anywhere near devoid of nature. It is always there. One must only search for it sometimes. I have walked down a typical street in Washington DC and initially saw "little nature" but upon a second look I found trees and birds and bushes and - of course - people. Sure the trees were aloof, the birds too quick to flee, the bushes imported and planted in contrived groupings that were more a reflection of human nature rather than Earth’s nature, but Nature is always nearby, in one form or another. We can, and should on a regular basis, access nature - even if it is only a potted plant in our house or a tree out the window. If only these forms were much more often a reflection of Earth’s organizing power rather than what remains after short sighted humans have created their world!
A few years ago I worked with an NGO on a UN resolution advocating that each human settlement on Earth have the right to access to a nearby pristine natural area. We sought this resolution as a way for there to be an opening, a portal onto nature for anyone and everyone attracted to it. We advocated that these areas be a reflection of the way the area was before human intervention, especially the mechanical intervention of the recent past. Such areas are becoming extremely rare, and are shrinking daily. The great grasslands, forests, lakes, valleys, and so on are soon to be things of the past. If you have experienced such places you know of what I speak. If you have never had the opportunity to experience a pristine natural location I urge you to make something of a pilgrimage to a place of your choosing that is still relatively intact. Spend some time there. Put away the books and computer and newspapers and open your eyes and other senses to the reality enclosing you, relax and enjoy, be healed. Look for balance. Watch for how everything seems to accommodate everything else. See community in action. Feel, if you can, at home in your true home. You may never be the same again.
Our resolution failed to get the support it needed and passed into that place of good ideas that didn’t catch on at there inception. It is understandable, but wrong, to say that there are so many more important things that need be attended to. War, famine, money, fame, and on and on. But it just might be that if many more people had the chance to experience a natural living community they would connect with the need within themselves for just such a community for themselves. If we never know what true balance and sharing looks like how can we bring it into the human community, much less bring the human community into a balanced relationship with the greater biotic community?
I would like to see a groundswell of support for restoration of natural areas. It would be a deeply significant sign of healing and wellness within the human community, but it doesn’t look too promising right now. The bonds between man and nature are fractured and disintegrated almost beyond repair. President George Bush and the GOP cronies of his (a special curse goes out to the neo-con Christianists) are so absorbed in themselves and their so called power that they are clueless about nature, Earth, and life in general. If you think liberals are the most reviled people in America, think again! The most feared and hated micro-minority in America is those that know nature and speak for it. The wingnuts and their media dupes save a special venom for anyone that dares to assert that nature has rights. "My god! How dare they!!! We men are Gods’ chosen ones. The rest [the non-human world] is here for our comfort and it serves at our pleasure." Yea. Right. You bet, Bozo. Now, lets see you live for a microsecond without nature’s love and support. Sadly, we may all too soon see just such an interruption of our life support (nature that is) and then it will be too late, way too late.
If you ever have a chance to do anything, anything at all to support a natural area, in your yard or a great state park or anywhere, please do it. Do it just a little if that is all you wish to do, but please, give something back to the web of life. A mere Thank You to some bit of non-human nature will help, more will help more. A lot is needed to turn this ship around!
Neosho