Three Actions You Can Take to Restore a Greener Planet

Happy Earth Day! There are Three Actions You Can Take to Restore a Greener Planet which are easy to engage yourself in.

We all want a greener planet. We all want to see a healing planet.
We want our planet to be sacred place as well. We know a healthy planet benefits everyone, including the animals and all life on Earth. This can happen if we reduce the effects to global warming. Getting involved in caring for our planet is one of the most spiritual activites you can engage in. The Dalai Lama studies science and environmental studies to keep abreast of events in the world which are worth discussing with students around the world.

Here are three actions you can take today and every day to make a big difference, they are education, enlightened action and outreach.

1. In order to improve the quality of life we first need to educate ourselves about the causes and solutions to global warming. The Earth is a sacred space where all life lives in balance with other beings and ecosystems. Join a mailing list such as American Forests, The Sierra Club, The Natural Resources Defence Council, or any other activist group that you are inclined to get involved with. Their monthy news letters are full of educational environmental information which keeps you up to aware of whats happening. Information is essential to empower yourself to make a difference.

Additionally, the History Channel, and National Geographic Channel on TV have exceptionally good series on the Earth, the Environment, and Global Warming.

Another exceptionally powerful resource is the recently released film, The Fuel Film, which won the best documentary award at the Sundance Film festival. It is worth watching. We saw this film this past Sunday, and Wow! It takes you several steps beyond The Inconvenient Truth because it not only informs and educates but give tremendous hope by discussing new technologies for fuel and energy needs. You have got to see this film.

2. The second action is to take action yourself each day. One of the most powerful actions you can take is to plant trees, either here in the USA or around the world through organizations like American Forests. American Forests is a non-profit with the mission “to protect, restore and enhance the natural capital of trees and forests.” They Help plant trees to restore areas damaged by wildfire, where critical wildlife habitat has been lost, and to clean our air and water. It only costs $1.00 per tree. Calcuations are that every person should be planting 30 trees a year on average to offeset global warming. That’s just the cost of a few lunches, or 10 cups of coffee at your local Star Bucks coffee shop. Plus, you can give the gift of trees as birthday gifts, wedding presents, holiday present, anniversary gifts, and memorial gifts.

The Dalai Lama has strongly urged people all over the world to protect trees and forests, in addition to planting as many new trees as possible. Reforestation is a critical solution to our need for a cooler, greener, more vibrant planet. Trees planting is a reforestation effort that benefits the Earth by creating habitat for animals as well as cooling the planet. Trees produce large amounts of oxygen, plus use Carbon Dioxide in their respiration cycle. Trees restore the balance in our atmosphere, cool the Earth, and create beauty all around the globe.

3. The third action we can take is to become a living example of our commitment by outreach to others. We are very impressionable beings. When someone picks up a piece of trash, recycles, plants a tree, then others see that example and will follow suit. The power of example cannot be underestimated. Live what you believe, and let others see, feel and hear your actions through reaching out by encouraging them to get involved. You can make a difference.

The Lord Buddha once said, “One can light a thousand candles with
from your own candle, and your flame is not diminished.” Become a candle of hope, become a living flame of healing for the Earth. Your mind, your heart, your enthusiasm for life is contageous. Let it shine. Your light is the essence of your gratitude for all of the blessings this planet gives us, water, air, food, a home, a place to gather with loved ones, friends, clothing, resources for everything we need to be happy.

If you want to join us on our tele-seminar training at Ask a Spiritual Teacher, we will discuss ways of making our lives sacred, and adding practical daily wisdom to heal ourselves and our wonderful planet Earth. Earth is a sacred space.

Christopher Lee May

Tags: American Forests, Dalai Lama, Earth Day, fuel film, global warming, greener planet, healing the planet, Inconveneint Truth, plant trees, reforestation, sacred space, Sundance film festival