Students at PUSD (Photo – Felita Kealing)
With the climate crisis gaining momentum and human beings doing too little to stop it, I thought I would pass along some advice for a future civilization of human beings who I hope will be wiser than us.
By Val Zavala
- Thou shall protect, preserve, and revere nature above all human comforts and convenience.
- Thou shall control your numbers in alignment with nature’s resources.
- Thou shall not take, consume, or store more food or resources than are needed.
- Thou shall not allow wealth or resources to be concentrated in the hands of a few.
- All tools, objects and shelter shall be returned to the earth over seven generations. (In other words – no plastic!)
- Thou shall develop and use only energy that is sustainable and renewable.
- Thou shall give all children an equal and loving education.
- Thou shall give equal value and respect to fellow humans in all their variations and diversity.
- Thou shall place power in the hands of your wisest members, mostly women.
- Thou shall remember always the divine nature of the sacred earth and the universe that surrounds it.
In other words – Don’t screw up like we did.
Val Zavala is a retired public television reporter/anchor living in Altadena.
May we be worthy of the times we live in, the work we are called to do.
Amen
Let Us Pray
Holy Earth Almighty
I thank you for
the ride you provide
through this Galaxy
around all powerful Sun,
our Parent Protector
and Divine Destroyer.
I pray that I rise up each morning
and lie down each night
bathed in brightness and darkness
so that I might be equal
to caring for life’s bounty.
I promise to pay for it
in sweat and tears,
joys and sorrows.
Give me the strength
to stay vigilante
while caring for all creatures
and nurturing all plants
with enduring love
and devout awe.
In thy Holy Name,
Amen.