Make the world better: Take care of our earth - 28 October 2024

One of the things I am very passionate about is protecting our planet. It is not just because my work over the years has exposed me to the effects and worrying realities of pollution, but also because I was raised with the understanding that we must take care of what we have.

We live in a time where we have become very accustomed to quick fixes. If something no longer works, we simply replace it. You get in your car, buy something new if the old one is broken – or even easier, you order it online and by this afternoon or tomorrow, you have a new one without any hassle. It is easy and sometimes even ridiculously cheap. With new fashions and trends, we easily discard old things to make room for something newer and prettier.

The problem, however, is that we do not have another earth where we can live. We have only this one blue planet, which is just the right distance from the sun. That is why it frustrates and saddens me deeply when I see how our beautiful planet is being destroyed. And it is our fault. It is humans who are ruining the earth. The irony is that we often do this without realising it or intending to.

I think it is time for us to take a fresh look at our lives and start thinking about what small things we can do to help take better care of our planet.

We cannot just shrug our shoulders and think that the fish and plastic in the ocean are not our responsibility. What will happen if everyone keeps shrugging their shoulders? Nothing.

We do not need to chain ourselves to trees or protest with signs to make a difference. There are plenty of small things we can do to take better care of our earth. After all, God asked us from the very beginning to look after this beautiful world. It was literally our first command.

Prayer: Lord, work in people’s hearts so that they will help take better care of our planet. Forgive us for not doing as you asked. Help me to be mindful of the earth – the plants and animals. Help me to take better care of the earth and make a difference through the choices I make. Amen