Do you remember Kermit from Sesame Street? He sang, “It’s not easy being green…” Indeed, it is not easy being an environmentalist, an ecofeminist, a naturalist, or a budding permaculturist in a world that is mostly brown. In a world filled with self-centeredness, caring about the earth is viewed by some as self-martyrdom. The skepticism alone, that we encounter nearly every day, wears away at our resolve. We, who are dedicated to helping our planet, are confronted by those who remain defensive and unwilling to change. Willing or not; however, change will come upon us. The human race, having been shackled by male hierarchy for centuries, must now work to restore balance – not only among ourselves – but among all species.
Our planet has its own immune system. It will rid itself of the parasites (human beings) and bring everything back into balance, with or without our help. Will we continue doing things as we have always done? Will we continue to build weapons and bombs and fight among ourselves? Will we continue to poison the soil, the water, and the air we breathe? Will we go on destroying habitat and discriminating against other species? Will we continue to rape our Mother Earth of her resources to satisfy our own glutinous appetite for oil and minerals? Will we continue to turn a blind eye to the havoc we have created? Only time will tell.
Our world was once green with lush forests that were filled with life. Today, much of the world is brown and dull from the endless concrete and asphalt that covers miles and miles of its surface. Even the prized green lawns are turning brown as water sources are drying up. The splashes of color are from the painted cars and buildings. They have replaced the brilliant hues of birds, butterflies, and flowers that were once abundant. Millions of people walk out their front doors everyday, get into their cars and drive to another building where they spend most of their day. They rarely, if ever, notice the natural world around them, which in some places is nearly non-existent. They believe that a plastic plant or flower that requires no care, adds beauty to their space. They do not understand that real plants are living, breathing life forms. Their essence benefits us in ways of which we are not even aware. Green is so much more than just a color. It is more than a marketing scheme for businesses that want to appear environmentally friendly. Green is the color of life. When all of the natural green disappears from our planet, then surely we will disappear, too.
