Earth Song, Galapagos, and Everything in Between

Photo Credit: Lionel Gies

WOW! What an eventful week, it has been! Two iconic public figures: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, dying on the same day. The House of Representatives passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The US Soccer team battling it out with Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The climate bill, I'm not sure what to make of it. I still need to read up on it because I don't really understand the impact it will have on regular consumers like you and me yet. Environmental groups seem to be divided about the effectiveness of the bill and what it would accomplish. Yes, clean energy is important, creations of "green" jobs would be a beneficial advance especially now that jobs are scarce. Increase in energy cost, affects on the environment in the long run and many other questions are left open. So I'm tabling it for now.

The US-Brazil game: although, we didn't win, it was still an amazing and incredible game. The US team had a two goal lead for 64 minutes to the five-time world cup champion, in their first ever final in major FIFA tournament! Amazing and incredible!

Photo Credit: ussoccer.com

With round the clock news coverage, Michael Jackson's death became the highlight of the week. And as a true product of the 80s, I took a stroll down memory lane. Back in the days, I made a VHS of Michael Jackson's videos, that I recorded straight from the TV and use to replay over and over again. I have no idea where that tape is now, but I am not ashamed to admit that I spent some time on youtube cruising through his old music videos and jamming to his tunes, over the weekend.

Despite the controversies and the eccentric lifestyle, Michael Jackson is undeniably a star that the word couldn't ignore. He transcended cultures, genders, borders, reached hero worship fame and inspired many followers around the world. Some call him Wacko Jacko , but even his worst critics would have a hard time denying that many of his songs called for social justice and changes then, and they apply today more than ever as the world's social landscape is adjusting to our 21st century reality.

These words can easily be the anthem to the efforts for more eco-friendly and sustainable practices. As a reminder that our natural resources are not unlimited, and that we need to care and become good stewards of the gifts nature has given us.

"What about sunrise
What about rain
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain.. .
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth these weeping shores?"

In 1985, Michael Jackson along with many other recording artists sent out a call to action in response to the drought and famine affecting Ethiopia. The messages in We Are the World still echoes loudly today, more than twenty years later as we are facing a Global Food Crisis that is affecting people in both developed and developing countries.

"There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change"

So in the midst of a lazy summer afternoon with scorching heat index and lovely conversations, reminiscing about childhood memories and cheering for our soccer team, I got a sweet note from my friend Lio saying that he posted some pictures from the Galapagos Islands. Mind you, I've been waiting to see his photos with anxious anticipation for almost a week! The Galapagos is on my list of must visit place. I want to spend more than a week's time there to explore and discover its magical secrets. Yes, it is the home of Darwin's finches and the birthplace of the theory of evolution. Remarkable, yes! But to me, it's simply magical! It's a testimony of how wonderful our world is, and how when we think we know how and where species are supposed to live, there is always a curve ball thrown in there such as marine iguanas and penguins living on the equator!

(also posted at momfuse.com: the green scene)

XoXo
Kristina

2 comments:

just some girl said...

ah i miss michael jackson! i wasnt around in the 80's but i am still a fan. i find it a little disappointing that i can't find any of his cd's anywhere and that all the people who were never fans of him before are suddenly now fans of him and are buying all of his cd's

Annette Piper said...

What a gorgeous photo of the Galapagos Islands!

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