“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” tweet
-Moses Henry Cass tweet
Cass’s quote is especially important I lieu of the recent climate change “debate.” Well, lets be honest, its not really a debate. The conversation is akin to a child arguing with an adult over the benefits of brushing one’s teeth, eating healthy, how video games are good for studying or just about anything that has been scientifically proven yet people still deny.
Seoraksan National Park, South Korea
For millennia humans have inherited the earth from our forefathers and continued to live off the land. Only recently has our race begun to realize the impact we have on nature and the profound changes we set in motion. Some changes are already irreversible (sure that’s a TV show but those facts check out). The Earth’s temperature is rising and our best estimates of letting it continue on the current course are catastrophic.
Jirisan National Park, South Korea
The thing to remember is that regardless of the current situation we need to get into Cass’ mentallity of “borrow[ing] Earth from our children.” We hand it back to them in (hopefully) better condition than we were given it. Humans are known for their ability to adapt and I am confident in our abilities to continue doing so. I look forward to inventions that help us solve the issues that climate change is presenting. I’m hopeful about future technology that could reverse the damage caused by our pollution. A 19 year old is spearheading the ocean cleanup, scientists are hoping to lower the Earth’s temperature by using artificial trees or other inventions to suck the harmful CO2 out of the sky.
East Sea from Daecheongbong, Seoraksan National Park, South Korea
The sun hasn’t set on us yet. With the help of modern scientists, activists and everyday people we can keep this beautiful Earth for generations to come. Soon we will return this borrowed planet to our offspring but until that day we have work to do. Even if its just recycling and making a compost pile everyone can help clean up our planet Get out there and make a difference so we can leave the best planet possible to our children!
