iReport —
Earthquakes, tsunamis, unprecedented seismic activity, disastrous weather patterns, and environmental pollution are all clear and visible warning signs that we have wreaked far too much havoc on Planet Earth. The evidence, unfortunately, is all around us. The most recent examples are the disastrous earthquakes this year in Haiti and now Chile. Before that, in 2005, there was Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans with Category 3 and 4 intensity, and in 2004, the horrific Indian Ocean tsunami that killed over 200,000 people. We can all appreciate the devastating effect those tragedies have had on humanity.
We seem to live in a world where pollution, mass evacuations, gridlocked escape routes, declared states of emergency, rising death tolls, and emergency disaster assistance are now the norm, not the exception. Every time something like this occurs, we courageously shift into action through personal initiative, volunteerism, or by supporting the relief efforts of the International Red Cross, Red Crescent, Unicef, and other humanitarian agencies that are dispatched to alleviate the human suffering and address the physical damage affecting those communities and their citizens.
While those actions are commendable, we need to recognize that we are treating the symptom when we should also be addressing the cause. Otherwise, the vicious cycle of disasters we have witnessed in recent years will continue with increasing ferocity. It's all well and good to sound the environmental alarm and pay lip service to our concerns about the ongoing degradation and destruction of our planet. But, we also have to take responsibility for our actions and recognize the ways in which we have contributed to the growing number of major disasters which have hit us worldwide with accelerating regularity. Most importantly, we have to take concrete action towards making a positive change. Our environmental stewardship has never been more urgently needed.
If we don't learn to respect our planet before it's too late, we will not have one left to enjoy even in our lifetime. Each year the evidence is increasingly apparent that our continuing irresponsible treatment of our environment is ruining the planet as we know it. Clearly, time is running out. The question is, what can we do about it? There's an old expression that our currency in life is how we treat one another. We need to apply that same ethical standard to Planet Earth because, if we don't, we won't have to worry about how we treat one another in the future. We will all be extinct.
In his lifetime, Michael Jackson was always deeply concerned about the environment and what was happening to our planet and its citizens. He had great faith in us. We must honor his legacy and his confidence in humanity. It is up to all of us to think globally and recognize that we are all in this together and have a vital role to play. Together, in a spirit of cooperation and moving towards a common goal, we must take the appropriate action - "There's nothing that can't be done if we raise our voice as one." Michael Jackson.
March 25, 2010 - Justice for Michael.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-425000
-INSANITY X OFFENSIVE GROUPS FORUM AGAINST SOCIAL INJUSTICE
