Nichol
truly think about it, that we can-
not maintain present lifestyles
much longer. That is, we cannot
are before we run out of key resources.
The planet has a finite capacity to mine,
if you will, and we are approaching the
edge of the cliff at a rapid rate. We may
say that Earth is the Garden of Eden and
we are throwing ourselves out of it.
inhabitants of Earth we have taken all we
can from it, thrown aside the waste, and
contaminated the biosphere, and the result
is to make our planet in many areas, unin-
habitable. The consequence of this ruina-
tion is general ill health, loss of species
and biotic diversity, loss of income, loss of
the ability in numerous places to grow
enough food, and also loss of respect for
our controllers, government, institutions,
and major companies whose responsibility
it is to keep things in balance and act as
protectors.
significant impact on human weather, de-
structive storm patterns, climate change,
and the thinning of the protective shield
called the ozone layer.
structive tendencies? You name it. Let us
ask ourselves, "Why continue to maintain
present and ever-expanding lifestyles and
at what cost?" Consuming the planet we
call home has a finite barrier that cannot
be crossed. We will soon hit the wall and
come to realize that we have done our-
selves in. Or, we come to the conclusion
that we must change our ways to a much
less destructive and consumptive behav-
iour pattern, and act on it. Before it is too
late!
dominate, imbalances occur, not only in
the natural world, but in one's rhythms of
being. Hence, much mental/emotional
disturbance occurs and illness follows.
Being in line with the natural flow of en-
ergy and planetary rhythms attunes one to
the greater whole and allows a more har-
monious existence to occur.
force. Humanity is at this point of crisis in
which its only hope is to heal itself, reveal
the truth, and live in the light of under-
standing, forgiveness, and love. And act
on it. Or slide into a coma of fear and
negativity and internal as well as external
conflict, from which, it may never truly
recover. This must not be allowed to hap-
pen.
not only for ourselves but for all life on
the planet. To quote Chief Seattle,
"Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the
sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the
web of life--he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to
himself."
responsibility.
simple means. Curb our tendencies to con-
sume too much and break into preparing
for greater accountability--not just in the
"3 Rs" (reduce, reuse, and recycle), but to
keep abreast of the present planetary cir-
cumstance. Whether we sign petitions,
write our government representatives,
send letters to the editor, or whatever, we
can cover the basics in terms of simply
caring for the welfare of our beloved
abode called Gaia. Herewith, everything
depends upon a level of co-operation
"with" and a respect "for" all living
things, including ourselves. We can turn
things around. It is up to us.
Robert L. ichol is a writer, educator, and
filmmaker living near 70 Mile House.