
Our climate crisis
How can I make a difference regarding climate change? It all comes down to attitude. The primary attitude here is gratitude.
It’s not enough to live my life living only for my own benefit. I have received so much from my parents, society, culture, the Earth and humanity as a whole. I continuously use resources to stay alive and live my life. Can I pay back all that I have received and continue to receive?
How can I help?
Since I am receiving so much, I don’t want to take these gifts for granted.
For example, I think it is vital that I recognize when I am assuming I’m entitled to the Earth’s gifts and humanity’s treasures. This is caused by my self-absorption and indifference to the needs of others. I see that humanity is facing so many problems and challenges. Because I care, I want to help find solutions. Instead of being part of the problem I ask, “How Can I Help?”
“How Can I Help” comes from a place deep within me that is motivated by love. I want something better for all of us. But I seem so small and insignificant before humanity’s challenges. Even though I am just one human being among billions, I have hope. My hope is that there is something I can do to help. I can help humanity find solutions to our present challenges.
I am also motivated by gratitude. I have received so much. It’s time for me to give back, to pay it forward.
Do I care enough?
Not only do I have hope, but I also care. I love the Earth that has given me life and nourished me from the very beginning. Growing up listening to the songs of nature and exploring its wonders, I have learned to care. I cherish the opening of a flower, the songs of birds, the sunrise, and a beating heart. The smell of the salty ocean air and the scent of the woods after a rain give me joy that reminds me that I am alive. I am loved and taken care of by our Mother Earth.
So much to be grateful about!

But what happens? Sitting with friends we shared the news that July was the hottest month ever on record for the planet. I think of the hurricanes churning towards the East Coast and the wildfires not so far away. What is going to happen to the Earth I love and to humanity that makes the Earth its home? I quake inside and then turn up the air conditioning to feel more comfortable.
Why do I avoid looking at my part in this progressive destruction of my home planet? This is the Earth that nourishes me and that I love. It is no longer possible to deny it, but it is sure easy to ignore it. Why don’t I care enough?
No one’s fault, everyone’s responsibility
Maybe I think that the problem of global warming is simply too big for me to do anything about. I call into the darkening night, “It’s not my fault.” But whose fault is it? Probably, it’s not fault we are looking for, but responsibility. It is my responsibility to do something. I want to contribute in a meaningful way to a solution to this gigantic challenge we now all face. Because I care, I want to get started. I do small acts of taking less for myself, so others can have what they need.
Global warming seems so complicated to me. There are so many fronts to attack. Water, air, oceans, icecaps, pollution, waste, heat, weather to name some major categories.
How can I contribute?
How do I contribute to any of this? Looking within I see that I do contribute to all of them by the basic attitudes that I unconsciously hold. I feel entitled to certain comforts which are more than I need. Examining my use of water and electricity, I see that I take so much of it for granted. Water is there for me when I turn on the faucet. Electricity comes with a switch. Until it doesn’t. And then I’m indignant. What happened? I need water and electricity. And I do. But how much?
I realize that I often take more than I need. Carelessness governs my actions. I am not vigilant about the use of these precious resources. One thing that is needed is effort. I just don’t do enough.
Meaningful change requires effort
What the Earth needs now is a little more work to make the changes we need before it’s too late. To maintain this effort, we all need to care enough to do something. Observing my attitude of indifference, I see where I need to work to care more. Instead of being indifferent, I can make a difference. As Einstein wisely shared, you can’t solve a problem from the consciousness in which it was created. Therefore, I deduce that I need to change my consciousness.
I look for evidence. My belief is that I’m an insightful and emphatic person. But am I really? Let me take an honest look. I read that islands are disappearing in the Pacific because of melting ice caps that add more and more water into the ocean. These disappearing islands are people’s home. Their homes have disappeared. Without their island, the islanders become displaced, homeless, at the mercy of others.
From information to consciousness
For me this is only information. I resist allowing it to become part of my consciousness that governs how I see the world. Even when I go to the beach and find there is no beach. It’s high tide, and the once expansive sandy beach is underwater. As the waves lap against the rocks that protect the dry land, I eat my picnic lunch. Do I see the relationship? I don’t allow myself to realize that it will be my home, the planet Earth, that might also someday disappear.
Expanding consciousness is not easy. I know because I have worked at it for many years. It takes effort. However, every small step makes a difference.
Small steps
There is a Native American story about a hummingbird that tried to put out a wildfire. In the story there was a huge wildfire, and the animals were fleeing from danger. An escaping mountain lion saw a hummingbird heading in the direction of the fire. As the mountain lion watched it saw the bird returning again and again. “What are you doing?” he asked. The little bird answered that it was going to the lake to fill its beck with water. Then it returned to the fire to try to put it out.
“That’s impossible,” the mountain lion retorted. “You won’t be able to put out a huge fire with so little water.” “I know,” the hummingbird said. “But I need to do my part. The forest has fed and sheltered me. I have helped with pollinating the flowers. Even though I know I can’t put out the fire, I must do my part.”
The forest spirits were listening. They were impressed by the hummingbird’s courage and devotion to the forest. A big storm formed, drenching the forest with rain and putting out the forest fire.
The Native story tellers conclude, “If you want to attract miracles to your life, do your part. You don’t have to find the solution to every problem. Just tend to your corner of the world and do what you can do.”

We’re in this together
Let’s do what we can do. I want to do my part, but I can’t do it alone. Saving the planet is not only the work of specialized groups. It depends on each one of us to care enough to do something. Without individual effort, it won’t happen anywhere. However, if we can change our attitude just a little, that path would be clearer.
Where to start? Start small, and gradually you will include more and more in your consciousness. Even though it takes work to get out of self-absorption and indifference, doing so will make more room for others and our common problems.
Gratitude
Want to start right now? Expanding consciousness is an individual effort. No one can do it for you. Try doing the practice of gratitude. Taking time to be thankful for all you receive helps to expand your awareness of how we are interdependent with others. We receive so much.
Being grateful makes us realize that we not only receive but can also give. Along with being grateful each day, we can reflect on ways we have helped others. Maybe our helping was an unnoticed act of picking up litter or filling the salt shaker. It is the intention that makes a difference. The intention is free from getting anything for myself or being recognized. I am moved simply to make the world a little better.
As I practiced gratitude, I become more aware of the effort of so many people that made it possible for me to have food on the table. Their collective effort allows me to enjoy my meals and stay healthy. This includes the farmers, pickers, transportation, and distribution. Once in the store, the stockers and the cashiers make it possible for me to fill my shopping cart. Then there are those who prepare the meal, serve and clean up.
Actions based on love
Once I remembered those who contributed to my eating well, I began to take better care of food. I didn’t want to waste food. It was not only because I didn’t want to disrespect the effort of many humans. I was thankful for the gifts of the Earth. The food required sunlight, water, and good soil. I scraped the pot, cleaned my plate and took care of leftovers.
Every little bit counts. I feel deeply that it is important not to waste food. During an inspection for the Food Program, I told the inspector I couldn’t throw the milk away as the Food Program policy required. I felt it was morally wrong. Later the policy was changed. I am glad I didn’t remain silent and was willing to accept the consequences.
Becoming an active caregiver
These little acts of love can help me bring the message of helping to a wider audience. I am engaged in the process of thinking of others and the Earth’s resources. The underlying basis of every relationship is that we are in this together. We need each other. Caring helps us come together to solve our greatest common challenges.
Another example. During the pandemic when we had groceries delivered, I requested to have no bags. The plastic bags that were used were heavy duty reusable plastic ones. I already had a closet full of reusable bags to use when I do my own shopping. I didn’t need any more. When the shoppers, who hadn’t read my request, came with everything in plastic bags, I protested. It wasn’t their fault. It was the policy to put things in plastic bags and label them.
The shoppers offered to repay me for the money I was charged for the plastic bags. But I wasn’t doing it for the money. I was doing it for the Earth. Now I see that the food is delivered in flimsy paper bags instead of the reusable plastic bags. I consider that a victory. It’s not my victory, for I’m sure I was not the only one. It is a victory for the Earth.
Working together
I would like to expand the Native American legend from an individual effort to one of all of us working together.
The hummingbird faithfully kept up her daunting task of bringing water to put out the fire. A robin saw her and thought, “If she can do it, so can I.” It joined her in her trips back and forth. A starling saw the two birds and flew back to its flock. Soon a whole murmuration of starlings was doing something to put out the fire.
The mountain lion saw all this commotion and took up a management role. He called on the ground squirrels and the moles hiding underground to help. Soon there were squads of animals digging canals and making holes. Dogs set up a chorus from every neighborhood. Anyone who could, came to help. Nothing could stop the wild horses from doing something.
Your house is on fire
The little ladybug heard her ancient call, “Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home. Your house is on fire and your children will burn.” This time it was for real, and it headed home. The termites looked up and saw the ladybug. Not to be out done, they joined the fight. Soon all the creatures were involved.
The humans joined in with their planes that drop fire retardant and trucks that carry water right to the fire. The people at home saw the firefighters’ sacrifice and reduced their water usage. This helped make sure there would be enough water to put out the fire.
The children watched with fresh eyes. They witnessed the power of everyone working together, no matter what each one could do. The children saw and learned, and the Earth moved. There was a spark of hope for a lasting change of consciousness.
Many trees, once patient and wise, did not survive the devastation. They had already done their job, season after season. Out of the ashes of those once mighty trees burst seedlings with the promise of a new forest. The canopy had opened giving them sunlight to grow straight and strong.
Now there is an added moral to the story. Start doing what you can do where you are, whenever you can. Others will do their part too. We are all in this together. Together we will make a difference.
About the Author(s)
Diana Autumn lives in a spiritual community in Southern California. She likes trees, walking and being with friends.