By DAPHNE STEVENS
Editor's Note: Daphne recently gave this as a guest sermon at the Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church. The Green Party isn't sectarian, but the views are very similar to many of those shared by political Greens.
How many of you have tried to learn another language or languages? How many of you have become so adept that you can think in this new language? There is quite a difference. Today, we all need to think in the new language, the language of GREEN.
When I was learning Spanish, I had to mentally translate each word from English, a sort of back and forth. Eventually there were phrases that I could say easily without translating first. The Unitarian Univeralist 7th principle is about protecting the interdependent web of life. Currently that web is torn. We all need to
bring the health of the planet into the forefront of our thoughts. You may think that’s not a language. But it is. GREEN is the language of our planet.
I became really aware that I think and speak green when I started asking candidates how green he or she is. The usual answer is they recycle. Occasionally, I will come across someone who is really committed to putting the planet first. My favorite of the former, was the man who wanted my signature to get on the ballot. When I asked my question, there was a long pause and then he said “I’m Irish." I explained why I couldn’t sign his petition.
That’s one way to think green. Others are probably more familiar. For example, you may already combine trips for errands. Do you think next, I can walk for some of these things? If you have to go to J.C. Penney and Job Lot, would you park in the middle and walk to both? Short trips are detrimental to our automobile exhaust systems. I have consistently found that being GREEN is better for my car, my health and the planet I live on.
It’s no coincidence that Unitarian Universalists have adopted the 7th principle. Many studies have shown that being in nature calms your soul, brings beauty into your world and peace into your heart. Watching birds, animals, children all have a therapeutic effect on us. Nature can cure itself if we can give it a chance. For example, I recently learned that Catbriar, which has sharp thorns, grows out of disturbed land, those
thorns protect the land until it can recover. Birch trees are short lived nurse trees, quickly filling in old pasture land. Their goal is to shade the slower growing pines that eventually give way to the hardwoods, creating a mature forest. As the birch trees die, their crumbling wood is food for various organisms that help promote further growth. This process in turn provides forest soil nutrients for the next and following generations.
Scientists have found many plants have medicinal qualities that can cure the planet and its organisms. It is expected that there are many future drugs in the enormous but shrinking rainforests. As we destroy the earth, we are losing the opportunity to find those potential medicines that can save us from the ills created by our destructive behavior.
Look at our filthy air; it’s no wonder that asthma is increasing among the young and old. There are toxins in many products, also in the water and on the earth that our government is reluctant to remove, much less find out more about the suspected toxicity.
I rail against our government. They won’t spend the money needed to protect us.
I cringe when a store clerk holds out a BPA-laden receipt to me. I need to have my gloves ready sooner. Why are our leaders ignoring our pleas? Generally they support those with money and power. Fortunately we are finding that environmental companies can survive, make a profit and clean up the planet. Support those companies that are more responsive to the health of the Earth, our home.
I recently purchased the Go Green stamps from the United States Post Office, a government agency that says on the back "Best of all, once you’ve started thinking and acting green, you’ll feel proud that you’ve been a part of a big change." I wish the US government would follow thinking and acting green.
Another example of acting GREEN is by the bank you choose for your financial purposes. Most banks are out for themselves and their stockholders. You would probably be horrified to learn where these banks are investing your money. The enormous cost of war materials is probably a good bet; how about oil or huge salaries and bonuses. Also, imagine the companies that benefit by working with these banks. Instead, remove your money from these banks; invest instead in a Credit Union where your money stays in your community. (Find one here -- our state has LOTS.) The benefits, including help for low income people to buy homes, start businesses, afford an education, buy cars to go to a job etc., raise the level of the area you live in, improving your quality of life. I am very fortunate to have a green credit card where the money earned also is returned to the community.
Furthermore, there are investment companies with various screens to protect your money from industries you don’t want to support. Good examples of these screens are only investing in companies that protect the environment, support social justice, and promote safer and plentiful food.
Food is another issue where you can vote with your dollar for the sake of your health. I always try to buy organic, not just because that food has been exposed to fewer herbicides and pesticides, but because the soil is improved, often containing the minerals that you need for a healthy body. The importance of these minerals to us is a huge new field that we are now learning so much more about.
Many people are finding that vacations can be green adventures. Some people look for an organization that welcomes those who want to work for a week: rebuilding storm damaged areas, improving wilderness trails, doing animal inventories, studying sea creatures and more. Many religious organizations offer programs to help those in need. Our church has raised money for Haiti and helped in building a Unitarian Universalist church in Africa. We cleaned the Brookfield common and have offered programs educating the public about climate change. There are many opportunities to help.
Others of us do activist activities: write letters to our elected officials, local or city newspapers, go door to door for a green cause, support green politicians, grow food for others, pick up litter, remove invasive plants, give a green sermon, live simply which is very green, buying little, walking and biking more and praying for the planet.
You are probably, without thinking about it, putting all the people in your household first when you are planning your day or week. All I am asking is include the planet, our only home, in your focus for that day or week. You will find that this commitment will improve your outlook, your health and pocket book. Be one with nature.
