Student Pugwash discusses effects of deforestation

Student Pugwash watched the movie "Medicine Man" on Friday night, and talked about the implications of deforestation, the loss of indigenous cultures, global climate change, the impact of technology on the world, and, most importantly, what we can do to make this planet a better place. Not a better place for us, but a better place for every person, tree, plankton--all of it.

Every time I engage in one of these discussions I'm struck by two powerful emotions. The first is sorrow. At the outset of any talk about our global future depressing figures concerning our planet arise, and my heart fills with dread. Will my children have a future? Will my friends have enough to eat? Will the beauty of God's creation survive? This despair turns, slowly, as we continue talking. I look around and see young people (my own generation!), taking up a noble fight. It's true that we are only talking, but that is an important first step. Through talking people express their passions and learn from one another, develop reasons and finally the resolve to make a difference. As my fellows let their passions ignite I have no choice but to think the world isn't as bad off as I feared.

My heart is warmed further not by our turnout, but by the knowledge that many people have these same discussions all across campus nearly all the time. We're a small but growing voice for change, a voice of concern and responsibility. Most importantly the force for this concern comes from within, not from without. No one is speaking because they need to for a class presentation, but because they have something to say.

For hundreds of years we have been treading down a path that can't continue forever. We're starting to see warning signs that our rapid pace of "progress" hasn't been sustainable, in fact, it may be at the expense of future generations. But this doesn't fill me with despair, it fills me with hope. Every time one of us realizes that the world has problems, someone speaks out about why recycling is important, why we need to listen to our elders about the wisdom they've acquired, why this world is worth saving and how to save it.

I'm hopeful that we'll make a difference, and that this time it will last.