Blog Warning: there is swearing in this article.

Fall back in love with our planet

This is my desperate plea, for us all to fall back in love with our planet. If I had a world sized soap box I would be standing on it now to broadcast this message to the whole world.

To come back into right relationship with the earth we must surrender to the deep feelings that true heart connection will bring. At this time in human history it will take courage to turn towards our planet with tenderness and care because we will encounter her pain.

‘What we most need to do is to hear within us the sound of the Earth crying.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

To hear this grief as the earth calls through us is to open ourselves to the deep and intense suffering pervading our world. From starving whales in the Sea of Cortes to garment workers in Bangladesh shedding blood for our fast fashion there is much to fill us with anguish.

We are in a state of emergency which, despite mounting evidence, the leaders of our countries are largely ignoring, denying or diverting our attention away from. Like the proverbial elephant in the living room those with the authority and power manoeuvre around it, acting like it doesn’t exist. When questioned they behave as if the questioner is at fault; implying that they are misled, misinformed, naive and making a mountain out of a mole hill.

But the elephant still exists.

The IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change) issued a report last autumn. Media interpretation of this has led to the current “we only have 10-12 years left to save the planet”. This is not true, the situation is far more grave than that.

“Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C and increase further with 2°C.

Pathways limiting global warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot would require rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure, and industrial systems. These systems transitions are unprecedented in terms of scale.” From IPCC Report

The elephant is real

Further reading of the report reveals the elephant. The report shows that global warming is predicted to reach 1.5ºC, by 2030 ( hence the 10-12yrs). Read it again, slowly;

“Pathways limiting global warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot would require rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure, and industrial systems. These systems transitions are unprecedented in terms of scale…”

In other words, this information tells us that over the next 10-12yrs, as things stand, we will reach 1.5ºC and carry on rising. At this level there will be even more catastrophic issues facing life on earth. They don’t start in 2030 they have already started. The emergency is upon us, we need to fall back in love with our planet now.

Freak out

We should be freaking out, but we’re not, why would we be? The Government seems unconcerned, big businesses aren’t interested and it pretty much looks like business as usual out there. It’s not though. We totally and utterly need to freak out. This fabulous planet we come from, belong to and depend upon is in crisis. If she fails we fail.

FREAK THE FUCK OUT.

Tell everyone, there’s a fucking massive, like maaaaaaaaaaaaasive elephant in the freaking living room.”

WAKE EVERYONE UP

WE ARE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION HERE ON PLANET EARTH.

What about you?

The Extinction Rebellion (ER) folks get it, and they are taking action (see note below). Recently a group of ER protesters shouted out about the elephant in the room from the public gallery of our parliament here in the UK. The Metro quoted one of the activist as saying;

“We are in the sixth mass extinction. Ecological collapse and climate chaos are here. And our politicians continue to ignore the elephant in the room. Climate change isn’t about distant lands or obscure weather patterns, it’s about the people we love. Our planet is in A&E and that means we are too. I would do anything to save the people I hold dear. What about you?”

What I hold dear is this earth.

We live inside the most extraordinary eco-system. It is an intricate web of connections and collaborations developed over millions of years which has created the conditions for life on earth. What I hold dear is this remarkable alliance of systems and creatures which have culminated in where we all stand today.

The scientists confirm that human activity has accelerated global problems beyond anything remotely normal, into this emergency situation. We are loosing thousands of species, eco systems are collapsing, resources are depleted and the very fabric of our lives is under threat. It does not sound good, does it?

Grow up

Is this why so many of us turn away? We don’t know what to do, helplessness reigns and blaming is rife. Like frightened children we want someone else to sort it out and make everything better. We think that if we just carry on as normal somehow magically it will go away.

We are scared to look at the elephant.

But, it’s time now to wake ourselves up out of this infantile stupor. We as a species need to grow up and we need to do it fast. We need to understand our interdependencies, how we are inextricably entwined with the web of life on earth. This is where we come from, it’s what gives us life. She, Gaia, gives us air to breath, water to drink, she provides us with food and shelter. All we have is because of her.

Our home

She is the Great Mother. We need to fall back in love with our planet as a matter or urgency. We were made for these times and we are being called to act.

“Now I know why I’m here. Not for a closer look at the moon, but to look back at our home, the Earth.”  Alfred Worden, Apollo Astronaut

We must fall in love with our home again and save her from this emergency. Indigenous people understand this reverence, this deep intimate relationship we need to rekindle. Then our gratitude and appreciation can fuel our behaviour and we will want to give back instead of continue to take. We will understand that love is an action and that what the earth needs now is a beloved response from us all.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”Jimi Hendrix

Note:

Extinction Rebellion is planning mass actions in London and Edinburgh in the UK as well as other major cities across the world, beginning 15th April 2019. If this is something you want to support or get involved in check out this post by Real Media about the history of the Rebellion and Facebook for details of more local activities and events.

Direct action may not be your thing, so what is?

How can you demonstrate your beloved response to this emergency on our planet?

Practice RADICAL SELF CARE to heal yourself and our planet.

With love