Caring a whole awful lot

Mark Pavilons

"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not."

Dr. Seuss

Boy did Theodor Geisel have a way of putting things - simply and eloquently.

His words ring as true today as when he first penned them.

One of his most famous stories - The Lorax - warns us all about apathy, greed and our precious environment. For those unfamiliar with the tale, it basically describes the greedy manlike Once-ler who chopped down all the Truffula Trees in order to make his Thneed, an odd-looking garment that "everyone needs." The Lorax tried, but couldn't stop the destruction. This tale was a lesson to future generations to heed.

Along with progress came smog and water pollution, forcing all the critters to relocate.

"Business is business! And business must grow ... regardless of crummies in tummies, you know ...

"And at that very moment, we heard a loud whack!

"From outside in the fields came a sickening smack of an axe on a tree. Then we heard the tree fall.

"The very last Truffula Tree of them all!"

Every parent should read this story to their children. The message is clear - it's as blatant as the tuft on any given Truffula Tree.

While we're not really worrying about Truffula Trees, this generation (and all who follow) do need to pay attention to the signs. We are all keenly aware of the global warming alarm bells; waste disposal issues; urbanization and our feeble attempts to slow the deterioration of our planet by following the 3Rs; leaving a less disturbing ecological footprint; seeking forms of "green" energy, etc.

While we may be on the right track, we should have started a decade or two ago on this road to self-enlightenment.

I can picture that furry little Lorax sitting on his stump, shaking a fist or two at us right now.

People in this neck of the woods have been enjoying recycling for many years now, and Peel (Caledon) residents are among the biggest supporters of the program. My family alone fills two to three blue boxes per week, and could likely fill four. Our garbage has been noticeably reduced. I only hope my fellow citizens are doing the same, but judging by the numbers of recycling boxes at the end of driveways, that's not always the case each week.

Caledon is home to some very active and passionate conservationists and environmentalists. Fortunately, these are no longer considered fringe groups, but are quickly becoming the norm - the politically correct stance in an ever-changing world.

We're very fortunate to benefit from the efforts of such stewards.

Being one who doesn't care for hypocrisy, I often ask such dedicated environmentalists what type of vehicles they drive. Most of the time, they're average vehicles, but you would be surprised just how many drive fossil-fuel-guzzling SUVs. In my opinion, those who are committed to saving the planet should all be driving those tiny Smart cars, using skateboards or riding their bikes to work. Heck, I'd even go for ricksha services around Bolton during the summer months, which would provide some physically fit students with some great income opportunities.

But I suppose our society isn't ready for such a "giant leap for mankind." Pity.

If we don't start to look at such things more seriously, it will be too late and we'll all be using our feet a lot more in coming years! And some of us laugh at the Mennonites for their disregard for modern contrivances. They may have a lot of company in years to come if we are bent on following corporate greed instead of community wealth.

Everything we do - everything in life - is about choices, even the choice not to do anything at all.

A few years ago, activists chained themselves to the trunks of old growth trees, which came under modern man's mechanized axe. Not much word of that these days. It seems we're far too concerned about global warming, melting ice caps, depleting fish stocks and altered growing seasons. At least some of us are concerned - those who care.

The Thneed-makers behind the controls of the mechanized axes, fishing boats and belching stacks are only interested in "biggering" - biggering their operations and biggering their money.

Funny. In the end, money won't be worth a damn when all the trees are just trunks; when the fish have long gone; when dust bowls cover our farmlands and our skies darken.

UNLESS, as Seuss warned ...

The future's not ours, not in the least. It belongs to those who follow, from the north and the east.

Our legacy's odd, but not unfixable yet. We have created one heck of a debt.

So for younglings now and those yet to be born, let's clean up our act, so there's nothing to mourn!