It has been a long year for me as a Wildland Firefighter.
Over the months I have witnessed Florida Panther habitat burning, fires
encroaching on native peoples homes in Alaska, California ablaze and tens of
thousands of acres of Idaho burning before my eyes. Smoke filled the air to such an extent that I found it hard to breath, to sleep, to accomplish my duties.
Across America I have stood witness to the opening rounds of
the conflict between our climate and those causing catastrophic damage to our
environment. This is direct
experience, watching millions of acres consumed by flames during a UN presentenced
season.
As things have calmed and I have returned home, I now stand
witness to a debate as to the validity of climate change. I am sickened by the
statements of politicians in defense of the corporate oil interests that finance
them. Climate change is the #1 moral issue of our time. It sickens me to witness people
promoting policies that will ensure their grandchildren will inherit a world in
peril for the sake of profit.
Let me be clear, as I stood among the flames I received a
very graphic lesson in what is happening on our planet.
Do not deny science as I stand among burned homes and view
vistas blackened due to irresponsible human activity.
Do not deny reality as thousands of firefighters struggle to
breath within the firestorm.
Do not pontificate about not being a scientist when the
reality of climate change has seen me grieving for the lives of more than a
dozen sister and brother Firefighters this season.
Those who witness the damage know better, we will stand for
our planet and the continued existence of our collective human community.
Frankly I am over the BS
spewed by individuals who are willing to trade the future of humanity for a few
more dollars in their pocket.
Their indifference is the closest thing to manifest evil that I see
among humanity.
Having witnessed her desecration, I will stand for her
healing, take action, demand accountability, confront misinformation and engage
in civil disobedience when needed to call attention to their crimes against
humanity and the earth.
1 comment:
I share your indignation and conviction on the issue. If we are children of the Earth, if we truly worship Nature as Divine, then this cause is our calling.
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