Scientific progress makes moral progress a necessity; for if man's power is increased,the checks that restrain him from abusing it must be strengthened
- Madame De Stael
It's not that I don't appreciate, enjoy, utilize or even encourage science and progress. It's that, too often, we forge ahead without thought of the consequences. This is especially true if those consequences don't adversely, directly and immediately effect us.
My husband just returned from the Honduras where he helped to bring clean water to a village that was in need. The stories he came back with were amazing and all of them touching. But, what blew my mind was the fact that these people were struggling not only for water but, for money to buy seed for their staple crop of corn. Because of our increased demand for corn to make ethanol, prices have risen too high for them to afford. It blew me away. It never would have crossed my mind if he hadn't been there and talked to them. Why would it? How was I supposed to know? I don't mention this to blame anyone for trying to find alternative fuel sources or to make anyone feel guilty about the increased demand. I mention it to illustrate the point that every choice we make as a nation has an impact, not only on us, but on other countries and other people throughout the world.
It made me wonder, why don't we think before we do? If we did, would it matter? Do we have to meet those who would be adversely affected face to face for us to consider or even seek other options? I don't know.
I have to applaud people who have a heart for, not stopping "progress", but asking us to stop and think before we progress, to consider the impact and make changes accordingly. You don't have to be on one side or the other, for or against the world or the environment. We are capable of doing this. We are capable of considering our actions and the consequences of those actions before we act. Or, in cases where we have already moved ahead in a direction that has proved to be destructive, starting over.
Today, I came across this video featuring a cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist" by Willie Nelson for Chipotle. I'm not gonna lie. I teared up a bit. I've read that Willie has a passion for sustainable farming and that knowledge made the video that much more meaningful to me. Again, don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting here on my Mac telling you that technology is the devil. It's not. It is what it is and it is what we make of it. So, it's up to us. And, all we have to do is think beyond ourselves. Not perfectly, not completely. I mean, we are so far removed from so many processes that it's impossible to see our own hand in the destruction. All I'm asking is that you don't shut your eyes, ears and heart to what you can do to positively affect the world around you. Even if it's as little as the step we decided to take this year by buying produce direct and supporting a local sustainable farm. Or, as big as going to a foreign country and trying to have a positive impact on the lives of people there. The more people do it, the more businesses do it, the more the merrier. Do what you can do. Do it with love. - Laura Marie
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