
And maybe it is so easy for me to forget about Saving the Earth because we call it "Saving the Earth." To save something seems like a choice that only impact the thing we are saving. Like pulling a small child out of a pool, we save the child. The only benefit to ourselves is the new sense of self congratulation. But in the case of the planet - it's dangerous levels of CO2 and overwhelming piles of waste - what "Save the Earth" doesn't address is the fact that we humans are actually the thing that needs saving.
If you do nothing else today, I beg you to listed to this podcast from Point of Inquiry, which features a short spoken essay by Lauren Becker about why the phrase "Save the Earth" has undermined the importance of this task, and does not actually describe the dire situation we are in. Becker's essay is poignant and enlightening and I listen to it whenever I need a reminder that Earth day is not just about trees and polar bears (although those are important too); it is very much about the survival of us humans. Continue listening to hear a really cool interview with Bill Nye about his plans for a new TV show (joy!).
And while you're at it, because this is Earth day after all and I really do need to get to a yoga class, read this great article in the NY Times about garbage burning stations in Europe and why they haven't caught on in the US (plus some resulting letters to the editor - what a hot topic!).
Happy Earth Day. Now go out and save yourselves.
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