“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground,” (Genesis 1:26-28, New Living Translation).
Hard to imagine that over thousands of years ago God gave this world to us to protect, to love and nurture, and call our home. So, what exactly happened? Did we forget our vow to nature? Did sin taint us so badly that we have forgotten how to be kind, considerate, and how to shield and shelter our earth? I think that somehow over time we’ve become lazy and taken for granted this wonderful earth that God entrusted to our care.
Does Planet Earth stand a chance? With global warming, natural disasters, and death and disease on the rise; how can we possibly get back on track? Many people think that we’re doomed; at least that’s the way it seems. And although there’s so much talk about how we can prevent any new damage, it just doesn’t seem like anyone’s listening. Plus, the collateral damage is done; we’re now reaping the harmful effects of our actions. The days of trying to “keep up with the Joneses” has bought us a ticket to destruction.
So, I have to be honest with you. I’m not the most eco-friendly human being. In fact, my sudden spark for “saving the environment” was brought on by a movie my husband and I rented this past weekend called Arctic Tale by National Geographic. What an amazing movie! I strongly encourage you to see this documentary if you haven’t done so already. Most of you may remember March of the Penguins; well this is the same type of story except that it is about a polar bear and a family of walruses. It’s a truly beautiful and humbling movie that provokes a passion for our fellow inhabitants. The story of these awe-inspiring creatures is a breathtaking adventure!
But the sad fact of this movie is that global warming is destroying these beloved animals. They’re struggling for survival, and we’re the only ones who can make a difference for them. It lies in our hands. We have to step up and change our habits for the health of ourselves and for the wellbeing of the animals we share this space with. If we do not rise to the occasion, then who will?
At the end of the movie, children appear in the credits giving tips on how to “go green.” There are simple things you and I can do to help save our environment and to help save the polar bears and other creatures. This is what nationalgeographic.com has to say on the subject:
“The world inhabited by the animals in Arctic Tale is rapidly changing from a perpetually frozen wonderland to an unstable maze of melting ice and snow. Once masters of this harsh landscape, the walrus and polar bear now scramble to survive. The good news is that there are many ways we can all take action to preserve this delicate ecosystem and protect these magnificent animals.”
Ten Cool Tips for Saving the Arctic
- Turn off the lights every time you leave a room. Bright lights use energy, and using energy releases greenhouse gases into the air, where they warm the planet.
- Shut the door! Whether you’re using the refrigerator or running out to play in the summer, shut the door behind you to keep cold air in. Using less energy to cool your world will help keep the temperature from rising where polar bears live.
- Carpool, ride your bike, or walk to school. When you ditch the car for old-fashioned pedal power, you’re stopping Arctic-warming greenhouse gases from leaving your car’s tailpipe.
- Recycle, recycle, recycle. Every time you buy or use recycled paper, you’re keeping trees in the forests, where they can clean the air and keep global-warming gases from building up.
- Reduce and reuse. Every little thing you can do helps stop global warming, even if it’s switching from disposable paper cups in your bathroom to a reusable one.
- Plant a tree. Just like recycling paper, planting trees keeps the air clean. Talk to your science teachers or employer about organizing tree planting days at your school or office, or turn your own front yard into a forest!
- Buy food from local farmers. You’ll help save energy and animals if you buy fresh, local food instead of frozen food.
- Wash clothes in cold water. You’ll use 80% less energy and will keep the water where polar bears live from getting warmer.
- Shorten your shower by 2 minutes. This will save enough water to fill up a swimming pool in a year.
- Buy a hybrid car. It will make it easier for polar bears to get around.
The tips listed above don’t just save the Artic; they help save all of our lives. So, together let’s give all of God’s creatures a world worth living in.
