Ready? Because I am about to make the most politically incorrect statements you have read today. If you are not in the mood for controversy, it would be better if you just skipped this post and wait for some other lyric transposing of mine.
It turns out that we woke up today to the sad news of a tsunami and earthquake in Japan. That is sad news. That is the worse news I've had all week! The thing is that it really started to bug me when twitter and FB became forums for people to use this as an excuse for antropocentrism not seen since before the Renaissance.
So, sorry to tell you guys, but it doesn't matter if you recycle your trash or if you use or not aerosols. The Earth couldn't care less if you leave the 70 bulbs in your house on for 6 months. Does this mean I think it is a good idea to pollute?? NO. Does this mean I hate the Earth? NO. Does this mean I hate all living things and microthings?? I do, but this does not mean that.
The thing is, the Earth warms up and cools down every X millions of years. That's how it works, that's how life was created. We are, indeed, facing an important climate change. Now... how has the industrialization of the World in the last century influenced it? I don't think much... but you can think whatever you want.
I will use recyclable packages because they mean less trash. I will dispose of all my garbage in a way that will make it easier for the authorities to pick it up. I will use both sides of the page because we are running out of trees, and I will not let the water running because we are also running out of water (shame on us, we live in a Planet covered in the thing, but whatever...). I will not consciously ever pollute rivers, lands, or oceans. EVER!
But will this stop the Earth from shaking around her tectonic plaques causing disasters like the one in Japan? No. Will this stop the Earth from scratching itself with the ocassional volcano eruption? No. Will this stop the Earth from slowly melting its own poles and gradually eat up our cities with water? NO! And if everybody did it? NO! And if all factories closed and no one ever did any combustion any more and no one ever generated garbage nor built anything and we all ran around naked like cavemen? You know what? The human race is equally doomed. Live with it.
There were earthquakes before, there will be more, and we are just one of the many many many species this Earth has hosted and then swiped off in the past millions of years. We are not the doers, we are not even enablers, we are just here for the ride. God bless our planet, and let us hope it lasts for long. Let us help each other, and overcome the results of this and all tragedies fast. Let us take care of our home with all our love, and all our knowledge. Just don't think for a while you are important enough to control it... because you make me sick.
Further reading? Try A Short Story of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson.
Now let Al Gore come and get me.
