This Saturday is a unique event.
It is the seventh day of the seventh month in the seventh year of this millennium - 7/7/07.
The number 7 is believed to be a lucky one (in contrast to 6, although this may vary from country to country), and the 3 7's particularly so. Those who are superstitious were wary when 6/6/06 rolled around last year. But this year is different. I understand there are lots of weddings this Saturday, with the belief that luck will follow.
The number 7 also has roots in the Bible in a number of references, and is highly symbolic in a variety of religions.
But 7/7/07 has much more significance, and importance, than simply being a lucky number. This Saturday it is estimated that 2 BILLION people around the world will participate, in some way, in one of the LIVE EARTH events (more than 7,100 so far in more than 120 countries).
The purpose? To support the Live Earth message and build a world-wide community-level movement to combat the climate crisis facing all of us. The focus is on thinking globally and acting locally.
A lofty aspiration? Not at all.
Is it really necessary? Far more so that you probably realize, or think about.
The crisis we face in terms of energy waste, global warming, creation of green house gases, irreparable damage to the environment, and other related issues is so far reaching that many do not realize the significance of the dangers we are in, and how the earth is being destroyed by humanity. And the path we are on appears only to lead to further destruction if nothing is done to quell the continued damage we are inflicting, often in ways not realized. And it is especially bad here in our own country. We have known for years the damage that is being done, the energy that is being wasted, natural resources that are dwindling, and yet it continues, almost unchecked.
There is much that can be done - by us, by the government, by community agencies, and by corporations. Companies and political leaders must enact measures to combat the climate crisis. And EVERYONE must heed the call and take action. So often we don't do anything because we feel it will not have an impact, or the effort is too small or meaningless. And yet is through the actions of all that we can make headway against this crisis, and compel our government and our corporations to take the appropriate actions.
Major concerts are being held in New York, Rio De Janeiro, Johannesburg, Sydney, Tokyo, London, Shanghai and Hamburg, using music as a means to reach out globally and mobilize millions around the world...24 hours of non-stop concerts, broadcast live by MSN (you can buy tickets on-line). And there are thousands of other events being held, probably in your own community.
Live Earth was founded by Kevin Wall, who also produced the Live 8 concert to combat poverty, with possibly the largest audience ever assembled. The Live Earth project is part of the SOS Campaign and initiates a multi-year campaign led by The Alliance for Climate Protection (Al Gore is the Chair), the Climate Group and other organizations to combat our climate crisis (SOS, as you probably know, is the universal morse code signal for distress). This campaign will use a series of multimedia platforms, including radio, TV, the Live Earth concerts, books, short films, and interactive web to bring everyone the tools necessary to fight the climate crisis, to change consumer behavior, and to encourage corporations and government leaders to take the necessary steps toward alleviating this crisis.
We all can help. And many of us do already. Witness the Green movement and the many wonderful articles written here on AR about housing, transportation, and consumer products. The Eco-Broker designation, now proudly born by many Rainers. AR even has the Eco-All Stars - The Green Scene.
So what are YOU going to be doing this Saturday? Even if you can't attend a concert or some other organized event, I challenge you to look at the Live Earth website and that of The Alliance for Climate Protection, and to learn more about the many steps you can personally take toward alleviating this crisis. And to take action.
If each of us were to make one change, how powerful would that be?!
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