Connecting the Dots

Carol A. Hand

Does it matter whether or not
we view changing global weather
as natural or human caused?
Perhaps.

While some cheer on Armageddon
others live with the illusion
that perhaps our homes
will soon be safe if human behaviors
change.

Whether or not changing our behavior helps
stabilize weather in the future,
don’t we owe it to the earth and our children
to act wisely and responsibly
anyway?

Global floods and worldwide wildfires rage
while more oil and gas pipelines are being built

Who’s to blame?
All of us who take it for granted
that the ease of having
gas, water, and electricity simply
delivered to our homes is our right
without considering the real costs
and environmentally safe, sustainable, viable, non-exploitive
alternatives.

We need to see how connected our well-being is
to the way we care for our earth
and the way we care for all those who also live here
because our earth’s health and continuing bounty
depend on wise and loving stewardship as well as
worldwide peace.

Lake Superior Sunset, photographer Jnana Hand

 

Sending love and blessings to all those who are on the frontlines of floods and fire.

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/01/world/deadly-world-floods/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/wildfires
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasa-sees-intense-fires-around-the-world

The world’s longest oil and gas pipelines


https://theodora.com/pipelines/

36 thoughts on “Connecting the Dots”

  3. Well said, Carol. Our individual and communal responsibility for preserving Earth’s precious gifts are essential for our survival as a species.

    I respectfully disagree with you on one point: It does matter if “we view changing global weather as natural or human caused.” This is a global crisis. Unless all nations can agree on the causes and solutions required to minimize the devastation to human habitats, those of us who take our comfortable fossil-fuel-generated lifestyles for granted will not agree to the drastic measures necessary to transition to renewable sources of energy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Rosaliene. I don’t disagree with you about the probable causality of global climate change, but too many people spend their energy trying to justify their positions. Action matters more than theories, doing all we can as quickly as possible as a global community. Even that may not be enough in the short-term. If we waste our time arguing about the ultimate causality, we will fail to take actions science tells us are likely to make a difference in the long-term.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Needless to say, Carol, I agree with your overall point; we could all be better stewards of what has been given us.

    But we also need to recognize the hidden agendas, which are always lurking right behind these so called ‘settled science’ issues: “Global Warming/Climate change” etc, the overpopulation myth, Agenda 21/2030 (depopulation), and eugenics, which is still alive and well in American and Europe. The globalists are selective about who they deem fit to be alive and free, as you know all too well, and so we must leverage this knowledge with our concern for the planet. Earth was here long before any of our ancestors, and it will outlive all who come after us, so we better start coming together and be concerned for us, collectively, or the planet will be of little use to us or our children and grandchildren.

    I read an article the other day that considers constant war around the world as much or more of a threat to the planet/environment than we mere human beings. And I won’t go into what radical geoengineering, by the military, is doing to the climate and our weather patterns. And this is not conspiracy theory: https://anoutsidersojourn2.wordpress.com/global-climate-change/

    We have all contributed to the environmental problems, but the vast majority of us did not create this world system/order, which threatens not only the earth but us as well. And if we all take a good, long look, most of the earth is still beautiful, alive and well, whereas many of us (humanity) are being destroyed by constant war and the corporate-perpetrated poisoning of our food, air, water and medicine.

    If we can’t live together in peace, how will we ever be able to come together so we don’t destroy the planet?

    Just what is on my heart and mind, Carol. I spoke to a friend about this very subject today, and so lucky you, you get to hear my soap boxing!;-)

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Dave, you have raised many important issues about the systems of control that have continues to wreak destruction. Yet we still have a degree of choice about what we do in our own lives. I choose living rather simply; supporting bees, trees, and healthy children; encouraging students to think critically and creatively and consider how we can build healthier communities; sharing what I feel is important in my writing; standing in the tragic gap between what is and using my gifts to foster what I know is possible; and loving and supporting my family and friends. I know we both are committed to sharing what we believe will be helpful to others, And I’m grateful to you for sharing your knowledge and concerns. It helps keeps me grounded in reality.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. The feeling is more than mutual, Carol!

        And I apologize if I came off in an aggressive or authoritarian way. This issue, for some reason, eats at me, because I don’t trust all of the ‘experts’ anymore.

        What you wrote here, in your response, I already know. And I hope you know that I know?

        I regretted sending this right after I hit send. It is hard to explain myself in a comment, or on a blog; I’m a musician, not a writer.

        And thank you, Carol, for your understanding, kindness and grace. As I believe I have stated before, I want to be like you, when I grow up!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. There’s no need to apologize for expressing your strongly held passion about so called “expert” views, Dave, or your well-founded critique of the devastating effects of deceptive agenda-laden propaganda. I care deeply about the suffering of people in Texas whose lives will never be the same as a result of a complex array of factors, many of which might have been prevented. But their suffering is shared with many around the world, something the MSM often fails to mention. I firmly believe there are things we must do as individuals to live with greater awareness, but alone, I’m not sure that will be enough without also raising awareness of others around us in ways that are inclusive rather than divisive. The challenge is how to address serious, shared issues without demonizing those who see the world differently.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. “The challenge is how to address serious, shared issues without demonizing those who see the world differently.”

          I agree!

          And also how to get Americans, in particular, to stop being totally focused on the ‘I, Me and Mine’ and start hurting and bleeding for the tens of millions this government and its owners are raping, pillaging and murdering every moment of every day of the year.

          I must admit, Carol, I am not very hopeful.

          Thank you, Carol!

          Liked by 1 person

  10. Wise and insightful words Carol. I agree that “connection” (i.e. “how connected our well-being is
    to the way we care for our earth”) is vital.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Carol, ran across this quote today, and it reminded me of you:

    “To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget. ” – Arundhati Roy

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Lovely and true. Human nature carries an instinct to survive, yes, but a selfish streak, too. It never ceases to amaze me how people don’t see that when the pendulum swings one way, it’s going to have to swing the other, and that which we’ve taken can just as easily be taken away.

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑

%d bloggers like this: