Abel to Speak
About the Health of Our Mother Earth
Our Communities
As a generality, the relationship of indigenous peoples with nature, the environment and Mother Earth is deeply rooted in their spiritual beliefs. An understanding that the wellbeing of the individual and communities is inextricably interlinked with the health of our planet, its natural resources and its biodiversity.
Traditionally, the First Nations of North America regarded themselves as having a solemn duty of stewardship; to act in the best interest of future generations by living in harmony with the forces of nature, cognisant of the essential need to maintain 'balance'.
Sitting Bull Lakota elder
Today, more than ever, the need to maintain the fragile balance of the natural world is imperative; indeed, it is critical to the survival of mankind and our planet.
Human population has quadrupled in the last century, and is forecast to increase by a further 30% by 2050. Already, our atmosphere, oceans and rivers are dangerously polluted with waste toxins - man-made gases, chemicals and effluent - and our forests and other biodiversity are diminishing at an exponential rate. Within this century, if the consumptive, throw-away culture of mankind is not addressed, we will face catastrophic climate change, drought, flooding, famine and water shortage, together with the loss of huge swathes of biodiversity; all threatening our very existence.
​
Political leadership stands paralysed in the face of this challenge, caught between the relentless momentum of the current world order and the difficulty of arriving at a consensus for change; the task complicated by the practicality of funding and enforcing a new economic, industrial and social paradigm.
It therefore falls to individuals and communities to take a stand, to lead by example, to protect our environment, to use resources sparingly, to act respectfully towards Mother Earth who sustains us, and to build a powerful coordinated coalition that can influence the shape and pace of global environmental policy.
Such communities are not simply local geographical, but are composed of those who are ideologically aligned, irrespective of race, faith or social class, whether coalescing physically or in a virtual sphere. The strength of a single voice is magnified innumerably through unity with others.
​
There are an incalculable number of individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to safeguard our planet and its biodiversity in the interest of the wellbeing of all, but whilst their voices remain fragmented their message can be dismissed as marginal. Now is the time for unity. Now is the time to speak with one voice; a cohesive force, devoid of partisan agendas, amplifying irrefutable scientific evidence to mobilise the instruments of government, and embracing industry as a vehicle to develop and implement economically pragmatic solutions to the immensely difficult problems that we all face.
Subscribe
©2019 Abel to Speak