There are other planets out there.  Some of them may have life on them, some of them may even be able to support our life.  But, for now, we only have one planet that we can live on - this one.  This earth.

Previous generations have been known for different trends.  Fighting in World Wars.  The Baby Boomers.

What will ours be known for?

There is an immense movement afoot at the present towards spiritual awareness, ending poverty, caring for the earth.  Giving back or creating something more here in some way - a new or a different way of being and doing.  Simply giving back something...

Maybe our generation will come to be known for Greening the Earth and Healing. 

We could make it happen.

Climate Change.  Peak Oil.  El Nino.  Deforrestation.  Growing Deserts.  Floods.  Drought.  Pollution.  Species Extinction.

The Earth needs our care.

If we treated our own bodies even half as harshly as we treat the earth, we would be in serious trouble.  Many of us do treat our bodies with similar lack of care and respect - and we get ill.

How can we expect to treat our planet with such similar lack of care and respect and be surprised at some of the challenges that are facing us today?

It is a permaculture principle that there is no such thing as a problem, only a challenge waiting to be met.

The solutions are out there, it is our challenge to step forward and find them.  We can do this as individuals and we can do this as groups.  Individual action leads - ultimately - to group action.

When we look at the immensity of what is happening on our planet around us, it is easy to be over-awed, to think we, as an individual can do nothing.  So, many of us never start.

As an individual, I often feel overwhelmed by my lack of knowledge around what could be done.  But I am willing to learn.

A truth is, we can each make some kind of difference, somewhere.

This might be growing our own vegetables rather than continuing to give our support to the chains that bring it to us from other countries, increasing the carbon footprint in its journey.  Or we can buy local products, empowering the farmers in our area, reducing the carbon footprint, and reducing packaging wase.  We can source our foods and clothing ethically, instead of buying the cheapest and easiest.

It is only a choice. 

One I fall down in and choose "wrongly" from time to time.  I can accept that I will not get it right - yet - all of the time.  But my intention is there.

I am still learning.

Many of the people I meet now talk about incorporating into their holiday package some form of "Give Back Project".  They want, in some way to make a contribution, not just by giving funds - but by getting their hands dirty, feeling the connection with the earth and seeing the difference with their own eyes.

The truth is, you don't even need to go very far to do this, nor does it take long.  It simply is a matter of choosing where and when your own "Give Back Project" will take place - wether this is cleaning up your local beach, or around a polluted stream - and who else joins you in doing this.

Make it fun, because if its not fun, you won't want to do it again, nor will you feel the same sense of reward.