Is it Only Me?

by P Williams, Environmentalist in Residence

For years people have spoken about the consequences of not addressing the climate crisis, for not addressing deforestation or the use of single use plastics the UK running out of landfill or pollution of our seas and oceans and while we talk about these most important issues with little or no action it gets worse especially considering what we are creating for future generations. We have spoken enough and now before it is too late we need to act. It’s not too late just as long as we realise the importance of action now.

Please never think that you cannot make a difference. Edwin Everett Hale once wrote:

“I am only one person But I still am one I cannot do everything But still can do something”. If we all take one step in the same direction then together it becomes a major step in creating a sustainable future. We are good people but often do not realise how our daily actions at home or at work impact on the environment and the world. We need to RESPECT the environment and ALL People. Nobody owns the world, we just travel through it during our lives.

North American Indians teach their young people: “Mother nature provides everything we need to sustain life. Nothing can be more important than protecting her for those who come after us.”

Juan Kunchikuy, who is one of the Amazon Rainforest’s most famous guides during a visit to the UK said: “In the rainforest we coexist with nature as we Humans are part of nature. What we do not understand is that you (us) in your world put humans on one side and the rest of nature on the other side. You have separated them and that will never work. We humans need what the rest of nature provides. The Rainforest is our hardware store, our supermarket, our pharmacy. Is it not the same for you?”

At Pipers we have embedded sustainability and environmental awareness into the fabric, the ethos of the school through different activities and a very

strong and active HOPE (Helping Others Protect The Environment) Eco group. but we will never reach our full potential if all of us do not make sustainability part of our lives at work at home and at school.

Whether watching the Red Kites glide and swoop over the playing fields or watching dolphins crest the waters off the coast of Wales. Whether it’s seeing scientists on TV discover new medicinal properties from rainforest plants or looking up at the clear skies due to less planes flying and to see so many stars like we have never seen before. You realise just how wonderful and important this beautiful planet is; how lucky we are to experience it and that it is only right and respectful to take care of it so that future generations can also enjoy this special place Planet Earth, our home.