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An agreement place on global warming; and
there is something, about the EarthThis month's issue was to have focus on'the earth and Earth Day, the celebration of our planet, and what we can do to make it more livable for us. That grew—faster than my bamboo or the weeds that come with spring's rain.
I personally planned to write about global warming. It's amazing to me listen to some Congressmen who speak as if they have crystal balls when they say the evidence on global warming is inclusive. If they were wrong, their attitude—given their current modus operandi—seems to suggest they would tell us,—“Oh, well nobody's right all the time. Let's not politicize this or get partisan. Let's move on.” What, to another planet? I wonder.
Trying to keep things in perspective, nobody knows for certain exactly what will happen. But what we should all be able to agree on is that the things we do that “may be” be causing global warming, also pollute our air, water and, of course, our soil—earth—which ultimately make us sick. If people can't get behind the idea of changing that for their own wellbeing, maybe they should think of children or old folks—they might even be family—who are most affected by pollution.
There could be multiple cycles at work also. We could be on the way to an ice age (an idea some support), but in the meantime we're warming because of the way we use fuel for our homes, businesses, transportation, manufacturing—that is, we are changing more oxygen into gases that we can't breathe and creating new compounds with unpredictable results. The earth's current reaction to our oxygen burning may be a temporary sub-cycle.
Does it matter either way? Go ahead, make a case for poisoning ourselves.
While there's a lot of talk about saving the planet, the truth is the planet is more adaptable than we are. If we continue on the road we're on we may create an unlivable environment, die off and the planet will then adjust to losing those ants on its back that need—and burn—oxygen. We might want to worry about saving our own skins.
And yes, of course, we need to pay attention to what we do. Earth just may need less help than we do.
I found out today that an international group of researchers has called on Congress to investigate new farming practices as a possible cause of massive bee die-off. Among others, possible causes are misuse of pesticides, or pollen and nectar collected by the bees from genetically modified (GM) crops that produce Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The problem could affect a third of the foods farmers produce.
Albert Einstein said it this way: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.”
In the U.S, bees are dying in such dramatic numbers that the economic consequences could soon be dire. US beekeepers complain that they have lost from 50-70% of their stock since late last year.
State Assemblymen Jared Huffman has introduced AB 541, The Food and Farm Protection Act, to protects the food supply by prohibiting the open-field cultivation of genetically engineered food crops used to produce drugs and biologics such as hormones and antibiotics. That's important. See FoodBites article for more details.
As I said, I “planned” on writing about the health affects we could agree on. Just as I was beginning to research specifics, the phone rang. David Steinman would be in San Diego the next day and available to talk. Dave publishes Healthy Living , a nationwide health magazine and he recently released a new book titled, Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown.
He was obviously the perfect person to answer my questions. He has testified to Congress about environmental effects on health and also authored Diet for a Poisoned Planet . His new book addresses the health threats that the chemicals of global warming pose and offers us lifestyle choices to become what he calls Green Patriots—basically, it's how we can become united despite our debate and support life on our planet. It's “pro-life.”
There's a lot this issue about living on our planet in harmonious ways and how we effect it. If we missed anything, it would be how earth effects us—and a simple appreciation of nature and how it keeps us/me whole.—I'll address the obvious. Forgetting for a moment that the earth and the sun give us just about everything we need for survival, look at the other ways Nature impacts us.
Whether it's simply walking on the beach, watching the sunset, or noticing the incredible cloud patterns we are provided, there are so many ways to recieve. It's funny how people, politics and even our life issues can get to the point that we need a break from them, or “everything”—yet watching wave after wave break or hit the beach never tires us like watching TV re-runs do. Do you hear people say they need a break from nature?
I find it interesting how nature often sneaks up on me. I'll be deep in my thoughts driving down the hill to the post office and as I begin to go over one ridge my focus will shift to the trees laid out below me instead of the houses and the street. They come more alive somehow and what's in front of me is a community of trees with dwellings around them—not houses with landscaping. Cloud patterns or a sunset will pull me in and make me stop for a moment. Nature can be startling at times.
My rejuvenation comes from sunsets, growing plants myself, wandering the bamboo groves at Quail Gardens or sitting and watching the light shift through the leaves as the wind changes the scenery. Sitting by the waterfall at Quail satisfies in incomparable, and unfortunately, indescribable ways.
If you don't believe Nature's power, try to find someone who has never noticed Spring? Or never felt uplifted or heard the expression “Spring in the air?” Or heard love is in the air?
Who knows how much the earth really gives us? It's one of God's main conduits, isn't it? It's there for us to connect to, sometimes whether we initiate it or not. It's alive. It shakes us awake and back to feeling connected. It rejuvenates and harmonizes. It really is something. Enjoy.
Have a great month,
Steve
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