_Is it in our thirst for more of everything?

_

What did you see, brave men and women fighting fires What was it that you saw that you did not want to see? Was it dying creatures in the bush, screaming in pain? Was it seeing others dead of hunger, thirst or fire? What was it that you saw that you did not want to see?

What is it that we see that we do not want to see? Is it in our thirst for more of everything - For more material things and pleasures, that we take More from the earth than it can give and replace - Are we taking from our world the very sustenance of life?

But! Do we not march for action on climate change? Vociferously urge governments and companies to improve, To reduce their use of coal? (But while enhancing, Not reducing, our happy expanding lifestyles) - a conundrum! So we make sure that we elect those who will do nothing.

Is it you and I then, with the lifestyles of the ‘developed world’ Is it you and I then, with our choice of elected leaders, Is it you and I who are the creators of climate change The cursed ancestors of those who’ll suffer famine, flood and fire. Is it this that we see, but do not want to see?

Jenny Prabhu