Majestic Giants
On the last Friday in April, the United States celebrates Arbor Day, a day dedicated to planting, nurturing, and celebrating our trees. While celebrated at different times around the world, we can all appreciate and embrace the ideologies Arbor Day promotes year round. Let us remain in a state of constant vigilance as protectors of not only trees but of all nature. Trees literally give us the air we breathe, provide homes for countless organisms, and aid in the maintenance of a comfortable environment.
One day spent in a treeless city will impart the great impact that trees have on us. Compare this day with a day spent in the company of trees — surrounded by majestic giants and the rest of nature. With a canopy that shelters us from the oppressive heat of the sun, leaves to absorb the excess humidity, and transpiration to provide with fresh oxygen to breathe — trees are essential components of life as provided by our Creator.
Let us become stewards of our home on Earth and learn to live in harmony with the nature surrounding us – regardless of the arguments that divide us re climate change. Let us unite where we might as fellow humans.
The poet Wendell Berry, an advocate for natural living and also a farmer said, “The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility.” This responsibility falls on each one of us. Let us interact with our environment with care and minimize any negative impacts on nature as best we can.
While in his homeland of Novana, Adam learned of the impact of the devastation of an ecosystem – and existed in the grayness that resulted when humans no longer cared about anything, and AI controlled robots had no use for the beauties of nature. His people suffered the consequences of uncontrolled AI for generations. While enjoying Adam’s story, we must focus on the lessons this fantasy novel is meant to convey. Let us do all within our power to avoid the mistakes made in unleashing AI and ensure our planet as created has a vibrant future.
On this Arbor Day let us all take a step towards protecting the future of the planet and commit to planting a tree or sponsoring one to be planted. According to a Chinese proverb, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
