Like many folks I have mixed emotions/views about the melting of our polar ice caps. Mainly because I have very limited knowledge of the issue and because, through my Native American spirituallity, I have seen and heard the devestation to Mother that humans have already caused. I have listened to many medicine men speak of Mother Earth and I have watched many National Geographic and Discovery Channel specials on this issue. Just the other night I viewed the PBS special that was referenced in our resources for this week. Veiwing these specials and seeing the effect that humans have had on our great planet leads me to believe that it is plausible that our ice caps are melting and will eventually be gone. I don't know if I agree with the time period that the scienctists stated on the PBS special. Nineteen years seems like such a short time, but at the same time if we continue to pollute the Earth and the atmosphere at the rate we are going it seems plausible. I know scientists and government officials are working to come up with solutions such as renewable energy, but if we waste time debating the issue it may be to late. We know we need to protect our Earth, we need to stop worrying about how we are going to make the next dollar and worry about keeping Mother safe. I know Mother Earth is important and I know the need for money, but there has got to be a way that we can compromise. There will be serious consequences if we don't figure something out. We may not lose whole continents with flooding, but there will be a rise in the waters. We will lose precious ecosytems that are needed for people's survival. Mother Earth will not stand still and allow humans to continue to degrade her and use her without respecting and replenishing what we use. I know that we have to keep science and spirituallity seperate, but the Native Americans had the right idea. Use what we need and no more. Respect Mother and she will take care of us. Disrespect her and she will destroy us. Mother is a powerful spirit and she will do what she needs to do.
I don't know that I have questions at this point, but I do have concerns about our future. Our children will inherit this Earth when we no longer walk it. What kind of example are we setting for them if they see us continuously polluting and being greedy?
I agree with you on having concerns about our future. It seems to me that regardless of whether or not the icecaps melt, we have so many people that are wasteful and do not think past their own existence. It seems like more young people are taking more responsibility. Teaching issues like these in school are important for students to have a educated view on the issue and can make responsible decisions as well as educate others.
ReplyDeleteI was excited to hear that President Obama stated that as a nation, we need to concentrate on alternative energy sources and to lessen our dependency on fossil fuels. We cannot live on this planet and not affect the natural course of things. It is important as a teacher and a parent, it is important to teach about how everything we do does have an impact and that impact can be both positive or negative.
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