The rapid decline of biodiversity, including human cultural diversity, has
repercussions on the vitality of life. It is not an issue of which we are well
aware. One common historic view is that humans are separate from Nature and
nature exists to serve man's needs.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature in a 155-page report
states that the last five years has been a losing battle to protect species,
natural habitats and geographical regions from the devastating effects of man.
We are in danger of losing half the world's coral reef species, a third of
amphibians and a quarter of mammals. Jean-Christopher Vie, the report's senior
editor, noted that while world leaders are preoccupied by economic recession and
financial instability, animal extinction is an irreversible element of today's
“wildlife crisis”.
In recognition of the interdependence of life, the UN passed the Declaration of
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 highlighting the “fundamental and moral
authoritative principles about the links between indigenous peoples and their
lands, cultures and languages.” The Earth was their temple and their heaven was
here on Earth.
We can relate to the Earth either as tourists or pilgrims. Tourists value the
earth and her natural riches in terms of usefulness to themselves. Earth
Pilgrims treat the Earth with reverence and gratitude, regard the Earth as
sacred and recognize the intrinsic value of life.
Often, we act not only as tourists, but as predators and plunderers. Such
actions include the destruction of mountains to extract coal, mining tar sands,
polluting landscapes and waters, placing garbage dumps on pristine aquifers, and
destroying precious archaeological sites containing pieces of the rich heritage
of mankind.
In our individual and collective lives as citizens of the Planet Earth, let's
learn to act like pilgrims, seeing other beings as subjects and not objects,
respecting nature and the wisdom of mountains, rivers, forests, plants, animals
and humans, and their interconnectedness. If not, there is a price to be paid.
What we sow, we harvest.
