Today is Earth Day.
It is always a bit strange that we have all these days dedicated to particular aspects of life – Earth Day today, Environment Day (5 June) and World Ocean Day (8 June). Then we also have World Wetlands Day (2 February), World Water Day (22 March), World Penguin Day (25 April) and World Turtle Day (23 May) to name but a few.
I remember when I first started at the Aquarium 20 years ago, these celebration days were barely acknowledged except by environmental organisations and a few dedicated environmental journalists. Now these days are highlighted by broader society albeit in some cases just as a marketing ploy – I received notification this morning from an online retailer promoting “Earth-saving products”. I guess that's one way of getting people to purchase products that are better for the planet – from solar lights to Wonderbags and gas heaters!
What do all these days mean to the 7 billion people living on this planet? They are aimed at raising our awareness about the ecosystems, the animals and the plants with which we share this home. They call us to take action – to plant a tree, to say no to plastic shopping bags, to start recycling, to grow our own vegetables, to use our cars less and walk more.
I think that each one of these days is also a reminder for us to pause for reflection – to think deeply about what it means to a part of the web of the life as a living, breathing, sentient being. I think we need to understand and know very deeply that we are inextricably connected to Nature since our lives depend on it and that we have a responsibility to ourselves and others, as well as future generations, not only of human beings, but also all other beings on earth. In our reflecting we need to deeply question our lifestyles and our levels of consumption and consider how we can live more compassionately and with gratitude for all that sustains us.
This Earth Day, take a moment to simply be aware and conscious of life around you: feel the sun on your back, watch birds in flight, walk barefoot, listen to the rain, eat a vegetable or fruit straight from your garden, sit quietly on the beach, breathe deeply.
I believe in planet home
In the buzzard and the buck
In one world
In one sanctity
In reverence of our shared place
Twirling, turning, blue and fragile through space
(Malcolm McIntosh, Planethome, 2003:26)
