“First thing in the morning you look after yourself, you brush your teeth and wash your face, don’t you? Well, the second thing you must do is to look after the planet.”
― Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Every era has its challenges. We have the horror of Russia invading Ukraine in this moment. And while poverty, crime, illness, hunger, slavery—even war—are at historic lows, it feels unusually challenging in this moment. It is especially so in two important ways:
- We have never lived in a time when humans have affected the earth in such globally detrimental ways. Climate change is only one part of the equation. There are grievous pollutions of all kinds, the decimation of species, the loss of precious forests and coral reefs and their needed ecosystems.
- Also unique to our times is the digitally inspired social degradation of families and trusted institutions, whether they be religious, scientific, political, or corporate. The rise of the digital age has made it easy to superficially satisfy some of our relationship needs but not all and often not in healthy and sustainable ways. And it has pushed us towards silo thinking and tribalism.
During these difficult times we would do well to remember what the great conservationist, Wendall Berry pointed us to: “The Earth is what we all have in common.” As well as this aboriginal proverb: “Look after the land and the land will look after you, destroy the land and it will destroy you.”
If we unite to care for the home which we ALL depend on, we will heal and surely have more peace and prosperity.
- “For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” —Martin Luther King Jr.
- “I firmly believe nature brings solace in all troubles.” —Anne Frank
- “Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in Being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.” —Eckhart Tolle
- “The miracle is not to fly in the air or to walk on water, but to walk on the earth.” —Chinese proverb
- “There is no medicine you can take that has such a direct influence on your health as a walk in a beautiful forest.” —Dr. Qing Li
40 Best Earth Day Quotes to Help You Honor the Environment
