Being Disheartened Does Not Mean That We Give Up

August 1, 2024

Dear Partners in Green,

It is difficult not to be disheartened at the predictions of what will befall our planet if we do not abstain from our dependence on fossil fuel and our not only wasteful but deadly habits of over-consumption and wasteful living, or when the members of one of our political parties at its nominating convention booed and heckled its own young members who had asked that the party address Climate Change, young people who dared to put forth the argument that much “illegal” immigration was in fact due to, yes, Climate Change.

To think that that political party, which is approximately half of the eligible voters in our country, considers the issue of Climate Change to be a hoax! It is difficult not to be disheartened as heat rises and storms decimate communities and take innocent lives.

But being disheartened does not mean that we give up. Consider the children: those already here, those yet to be born. What will life be like for them in ten or twenty years?

The term unimaginable comes to mind. And I haven’t even mentioned non-humans, our fellow inhabitants whose very existence depends on our choices.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson comes to mind again. We must be willing to sacrifice, not a popular term for this generation.

We might be thinking, “What can one person do?” You may be surprised.

And if we don’t do anything, the unthinkable is a given.

Show up, stay home, talk, write, vote, think, pray; consider your actions, choices, and words.

Now an encore of one of Mary Oliver’s shortest poems.

Watching a Documentary about Polar Bears

Trying to Survive on the Melting Ice Floes
That God had a plan, I do not doubt.
But what if his plan was that we would do better.

Thank you for being on this journey.

Wishing peace and health to you and your loved ones.

Till next time,
Beth

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Oliver, Mary. “Watching a Documentary about Polar Bears.” Red Bird, Beacon Press, 1992, 45.