I love living in Columbus, Ohio. This city is culturally diverse and
offers various opportunities to indulge in festivals1, the arts,
sports, nightlife, and (my favorite), nature.
Ohio
has done a magnificent job of preserving its natural resources, such as scenic
parks and sanctuaries2 where people can enjoy quiet, clean air,
beautiful nature, and safe places to meditate, spend time with loved ones, or
exercise. Local citizens recognize the beauty and value of our natural
resources3 (especially trees), and through partnerships with
relevant organizations, strive to maintain and educate people on how they can
contribute to preserving our environment.4
Roosevelt once said, “a nation that destroys its soils destroys
itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh
strength to our people”. And he was right.
Current news and social media are filled with worrisome accounts about worldwide environmental degradation, climate change, eradication of endangered species, and the violent abuse of our vanishing natural resources. It is common to hear about the destruction of forests and parks, despite scientific proof of the negative effects that deforestation has on the plants and animals that need these spaces to survive.
According to National Geographic, forests account for 30% of the world’s
land area, but each year, large tracts of forests are decimated for a variety
of reasons (agriculture, forest fires, greedy politicians, and powerful
industries).5
Trees are vital because they provide
oxygen, stabilize soil, sustain the life of wild species, provide materials for
shelter, and store carbon.6 The negative effects
of deforestation include biodiversity
loss, soil erosion, air pollution, soil and water pollution, and climate change.7
Given what it means especially for the air and soil quality, we each have
a duty to protect our natural/green surroundings, which begins with replacing
every tree that we cut down.
Each year, Columbus, Ohio celebrates the Columbus Arts Festival8,
one of the best and most anticipated events in the state. “Music, spoken word, dance, theater, acoustic, and jazz and
blues stages, hands-on arts activities, exhibitions of local student artwork
and local artist collectives, and a wide selection of quality food and
beverages round out Columbus’s favorite outdoor summer event.”9
The
combination of a beautiful location and the celebration of diversity make this
a highly anticipated event. I attend this festival each year and particularly
enjoyed it last weekend. The Arts festival is held in the scenic downtown Scioto
Mile10 riverfront of Columbus. Even outside of the festival, this is
one of my favorite places to spend time in, particularly in the warm summer
evenings, given the peaceful ambiance and preservation of nature in this area.
Just as I was celebrating this beautiful festival, news came in
about a lethal mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.11 With each day,
we learn more about the motivation behind this senseless act of violence. This
tragic incident has once again led to heated discussions about gun control,
extremism, and prejudice.
Almost on a daily basis, we read stories about prejudice,
intolerance, violence, and suffering. Our society has become one where we view
our differences as a threat. As such, many fall into a trap where we allow our
differences to divide us, thus leading to environments of hate and mistrust.
So why is it that some people embrace different
cultures/differences/diversity, while others fear and reject them? Maya Angelou
said “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity
there is beauty and there is strength”.
Those who embrace, respect, and appreciate diversity learn early
on in life to look at differences as a source of information, strength, and
inspiration. Instead of being fearful of what they do not understand, they have
learned to step outside of their comfort zones, read, learn, think for
themselves, and interact with those different from them. As such, whatever
stereotypes and biases they have of others eventually disappear. They,
therefore, light a proverbial candle that is passed on to others and create
communities that no longer look at “being different” as a problem.
As I consider how we perceive differences, culture, diversity, and
respect for the earth…I question the type of legacy we are leaving for future
generations, and what kind of earth they will inherit. All over the world,
various countries/states/cities are experiencing weather extremes that were
certainly not the norm years ago. In addition, we continue to experience
violence fueled by hate, prejudice, and intolerance.
When asked whether I believe that there is still hope for
humanity, my answer is always the same: there are many times I have lost faith
in the human race, particularly when we commit inhumane acts towards others,
animals, and the environment. But my hope has been repeatedly restored by those
who move beyond words and volunteer their time and talents to making our world
a much better place. As Gandhi said, “As human beings, our greatness lies not
so much in being able to remake the world – that is the myth of the atomic age
– as in being able to remake ourselves.”
References
3. Ohio State
Parks. (2016). ODNR Division of Ohio State Parks. Volunteer for Ohio State Parks –
Ohio State Parks Volunteer Opportunities. Retrieved from: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/volunteer
5. National
Geographic. Deforestation. Retrieved from: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/
6. Royal Parks
Foundation. (2016). Why are Trees So Important? Retrieved from: http://www.supporttheroyalparks.org/visit_the_parks/the_regents_park/tree_map/why_trees_are_important
7. Clay, J.
(2004). World Agriculture and the Environment. World Wide Fund Global – Palm Oil & Forest Conversion.
Retrieved from: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/palm_oil/environmental_impacts/forest_conversion/
8. Goldstein, J.
(2016). 55th Annual Columbus Arts Festival Brings Art, Music, &
More to the Riverfront June 10-12. Greater
Columbus Arts Council. Retrieved from: https://www.columbusartsfestival.org/contact/press-room/55th-annual-columbus-arts-festival-brings-art-music-more-to-the-riverfront-june-10-12/
9. Goldstein, J.
(2016). 55th Annual Columbus Arts Festival Brings Art, Music, &
More to the Riverfront June 10-12. Greater
Columbus Arts Council. Retrieved from: https://www.columbusartsfestival.org/contact/press-room/55th-annual-columbus-arts-festival-brings-art-music-more-to-the-riverfront-june-10-12/
10. Columbus
Recreation and Parks Department. (2016). Columbus
Downtown Destination. Inside the Scioto
Mile. Retreved from: http://www.sciotomile.com/
11. Alvarez, L.,
& Perez-Pena, R. (2016). Orlando Gunman Attacks Gay Nightclub, Leaving 50
Dead. The New York Times, Retrieved
from: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/13/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting.html?_r=0
Images
1. Vervroegen, E. (2008). WWF: Lungs [Image], Retrieved June 10, 2016: http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/wwf_lungs
2. 40 Days of Prayer Against Racism May 26 [Image], Retrieved June 10,
2016: https://www.pinterest.com/kimmyrachelle/against-racism/