A Question of Care

Kathryn’s fine post reminded me that it is Blog Action Day 2009.  Dedicated this year to climate change, I find myself in the unique position of just emerging from a truly spectacular locale, Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas.  The juxtaposition is startling.  In fact, now back in my hotel room, I look out of a 21st floor window across the concrete jungle of casinos and highways, yet on the horizon, the peak pictured above looms like a silent reminder.

A little story.  An interest of mine is visiting sites where natives peoples have left us some signs.  This interest leads me to read about early inhabitants of this continent.  The tale ties the emergence of human activity in these parts to the last Ice Age.  In fact, when the ice pushed up those great sand bars of Long Island, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod, the ocean level had dropped considerably.  The fishing ground known as Georges Bank was at that time dry land.  I often wonder if it was inhabited by humans.  It’s been about ten thousand years since the ice has retreated to where it melts, too rapidly, today.  It’s important to consider how future generations will view the places we have created.  Is it a stretch to think they will see us as the “we don’t care” era?

The climate is going to continue to change.  The planet cycles of it’s own accord.  The problem, aptly displayed out my window, is that we live in a manner that does not take responsibility for our impact on that cycle.  In fact, my cynical side believes that even the scientific community, now so committed to this issue, would opt for climate control over climate care.

Another thing I believe, and this less is much less cynical.  The attitudes of today seed the cultural reality of the future.  See, I grew up watching that lone tear drop across a Native American’s face.  Do you remember that campaign against litter? It shaped my mind.  While everywhere I look I see the effects of an “I don’t care, I want mine” attitude, I’m convinced we can not afford it.

Remembering that there’s a tipping point out there somewhere (the question will be which tipping point comes first), I ask if you’ll join me in shaping more minds to care for the planet.