WE ARE THE EARTH

Our lives and the entirety of civilization is dependent upon how we understand and manage our planet. The Earth is our HOME and every single process that takes place affects us all. Weather patterns influence the availability of water resources and the potential for natural disasters to occur. These catastrophic events, such as forest fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and floods, can not only be detrimental to property but can cause injury, death and harm to people and animals of the affected area.

Just as Earth’s systems directly impact each of us, we, as INDIVIDUALS and as a COLLECTIVE, affect our planet. The expanding technologies and growing populations have resulted in an increased demand for natural resources. As we use these resources we must be mindful of the generations to follow us. To better care for the environment, we must THINK GLOBALLY and ACT LOCALLY by making sound decisions about the issues that are important in our lives as citizens.

An informed society, conscious of its complex relationship with the planet, recognizes the importance of issues surrounding clean water, healthy soil, urban planning, climate change, and the use and management of natural resources. We, as humans, only occupy Earth for a short while, and just as we understand that maintaining our own health LONG-TERM is critical, so is the long-term maintenance of the health of the EARTH. It is our RESPONSIBILITY to stay educated and to do our part to ensure the use, availability and preservation of our planet’s resources is sustainable and remains intact. The Earth and us have a symbiotic relationship, meaning comparable to how we rely on the Earth to provide for us, the Earth relies on us to care for it.

Not only do we share a common ground with the Earth, but we are actually a PART of the Earth. When you look at the composition of Earth and of us, we find that one is a MIRROR to the other.

We are made up of the Earth in an intricate yet simple way. We go through cycles and phases as human beings just as the planet goes through cycles, just on different scales. The Earth grows and dies, it changes and it shifts, it warms up and cools down, it produces life and is fed back the things that it creates. We are formed by Earth, and it is no coincidence that we both consist of 70% water and that, when we die, we return to the Earth, whether that be in the form of ashes or whole.

The Earth is ABUNDANT with living things such as plants, animals, water, air, and human beings. It acts as a GUARDIAN and shelter to us. Earth asks us to TAKE CARE of it so that in doing so we take care of ourselves. It asks us to be AWARE that that we are as much a part of this planet as anything else that inhabits it, and that the Earth’s very nature is a part of EVERYTHING. It wants us to be CONTENT with how it is, and to be content with ourselves and know that everything WILL change and grow at the pace it needs to. It asks us to NOT push it over its limits or turn it into something we can't call NATURAL anymore. Its GREATEST call of action and biggest desire is for us, as humans, to keep it CLEAN and HEALTHY — the very things we hope and wish for for ourselves.

Just like anything that we borrow, from a friend or a family member, we always want to return it in better shape than when we received it. We are Earth’s family members and we have to leave it BETTER than we FOUND it. We need to be willing to make the changes that have a lasting impact. To STOP polluting our homes and destroying natural environments, and to keep our water and air clean for the other living beings and those to come. We have to give back what it has given us. Right now, we give back in a different manner than the Earth gives to us, but it is all CONNECTED. If we continue to give back things that are TOXIC to the Earth, then soon enough, the Earth will have no choice but to give us back that same toxicity.

We must see the BEAUTY in the Earth and realize that we shouldn't try to change it because of our own intrinsic motivation that drives our personal desires. Regardless of what we want or want to get rid of, the Earth will continue to grow and change. We will change with the Earth, and the Earth will change BECAUSE of our ACTIONS. We have to figure out, for ourselves, how to be most efficient in keeping us and the planet healthy and alive. Evolution will persist well beyond our lifetime and it will always be continuing. It is in the WAY that we evolve, and the things that we do to grow, that will determine what the Earth asks of us.

I challenge you this Earth Day to be as GIVING to the Earth as it is to us.

Some small shifts with immense influence:

+ go vegetarian for a day

+ invest in a reusable water bottle

+ make your own cleaning products

+ use leftover drinking water to water plants

+ turn the tap off while brushing teeth

+ use a water-saving shower head

+ cut out junk mail

+ bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store

+ let your produce roam free (ditch the produce bags)

+ shop in bulk using mason jars

+ switch your lightbulbs

+ unplug your electronics/appliances not in use

Xx, Leah Kutsch

P.S. Keeping IIN Touch