by Catie Martin

Created on: June 05, 2008   Last Updated: February 14, 2009

It's our privilege to protect the environment. The creatures who live here are depending on us. Together we can protect and be good stewards of our natural resources. This wonderful world is our reward and our responsibility .

Some endangered animals are in the plight they have found themselves in because of our decisions. We have in some cases not been wise in what we have done so its time for each of us to look at what we can do to find creative solutions to environmental problems. We, as human beings, will find ourselves endangered if we don't go far enough with environmentalism.

Taking responsibility may mean diferent things to different people yet it's important to see what changes and adjustments each individual can make or is willing to make. Those actions collectively will be our saving grace as we learn to use the wisdom that our creator has given us to solve each problem. Each of us can make changes in our personal lives and be part of the solution so we are not a part of the problem.

I am optimistic that we will find alternative energy sources, ways of solving world hunger, recycle more garbage, and learn to live more harmoniously with our animal friends. There are many brillant minds and caring hearts involved in the crusade to make the world a healthier and happier place.

The first step is hope and the next steps will follow, People with hope and a vision will go as far as they have to go down the road of environmentalism and may pass a few people who don't want to travel down that road. Perhaps those who are thinking now that we're going too far will experience the benefits of those who are willing to act now.

This environmental situation reminds me of the reactions of people who might have been watching old Noah build an ark. Those individuals had never even seen a rain drop and Noah was warning them about something that they just could not understand. The difference between that time and now is that we have seen a rainbow high in our sky. We can see a colorful rainbow as a sign of grace and we sure are familiar with rain and need that water from the heavens.

Our world is a wonderful place in many ways. My eyes have seen some lovely things and I know that one person can make a difference. My father, an environmentalist and science teacher, taught me that a Cape called Henlopen could be made into a state park. Because he and others had hope and a vision about the environment many visitors can now enjoy the wonder of Cape Henlopen park in a little state called Delaware. They can see the horseshoe crabs, take nature walks, swim and walk along the beach. At one time my Dad took us as children to see the land and on part of that property the town was dumping their garbage. My father saw the potential when very few others did and he researched to see that years ago the land had been deeded to the inhabitants of the state.

Our world has been deeded to the inhabitants here who want to care for the environment and we can be good stewards of what is ours. Each little effort is one step more and we can move on down the road and see the results of unity and endurance, Like Noah we'll build with faith.

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