dedicated to the promotion of urban environmentalism

My friend is in Iceland right now. Within the past 24 hours she has been to the volcano which is brewing under a glacier there.The volcano near Eyjafjallajoekull is being watched for a full-blown eruption. Other than some webcam footage, I've only seen her two camera-phone shots. Cannot wait to see more. She also got to experience the Northern Lights.

Seeing all this natural beauty, or hearing about it, just reminds me why I fight so hard on behalf of the earth. She's gorgeous. Why don't more people see that? Why do they get stuck in the grime or in their own little bubbles? Maybe because I've been lucky enough to travel a little and have friends from around the world.... but come on people, we've got to think of each other, future generations and the planet.

Why does it seem that people from other countries are getting this idea, but not the US? There is profit to be made, if that's your motivation... It is like the health care reform naysayers, people so scared to share a little. Like there is only so much love and compassion to go around and once it's gone it's gone. That's not how it works. The more you give it away, the more it multiplies. And even if it didn't, let's imagine that I could live a "10" of a life while my neighbour lives a "1" - why is is so hard for some to want to have us all at 5s? Spread out the wealth? Let's face it, we don't have to imagine this, in terms of wealth, any American is at a 10 as opposed to someone in Asia, Africa, India, South America, etc- why are people so attached to material objects? Is it years of marketing? Is it fear of decline as Boomers get older and see the Millennials coming in?

Seeing the Northern Lights, now that's wealth. Having the time and health to enjoy the sunshine, that's wealth. Being at peace with your neighbour, that's wealth.