I Am Somebody

I recently saw a post on Facebook that read “I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that, then I realized, I am somebody.”

How true.  I have done it and I think everyone else at one time or another has done it.  They look at a situation and know that “somebody” has to do something and yet they sit and wait for “somebody” to show up.  Why? When is everyone going to realize that they ARE somebody? 

I believe the main reason that we wait for “somebody” is that we are either too scared or too intimidated ourselves about doing what we see and believe needs to be done.  Scared including “What will my friends and family think of me if I do something about this?”  “Will they think I am crazy?”  “Will they back me on it?” “Will they disown me?”  “Too risky…I think I will wait for “somebody” else to start.”

When it comes to environmental issues there is a lot of intimidation. Not only by our friends and family but by the big corporations and the marketing companies who promote them. 

In a recent article published in Rolling Stone magazine, Bill McKibben wrote “We have the technology to solve our problems. But we lack the will.” In this recent article Bill is mainly talking about global warming and the scientifically proven facts and numbers associated with what the Earths current status is and what countries around the world are doing to help.  (Read more at: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719#ixzz228q8SI7b)

The crux of the article notes that a good majority of countries are participating in the reduction of carbon emissions but also that there is still a “wait and see” mentality among many world leaders with regards to global warming.  They are all waiting for “somebody” to do something.  Why? They certainly don’t want to be the one to make a decision that the majority feels is the wrong decision.  That would make them look bad.  So instead of taking a risk and making some progress they choose to wait for “somebody” else to do it.  News flash people!  If nobody does anything then everybody will suffer.

You may agree or disagree with the global warming discussion.  There are scientific facts on both sides of the argument.  But this is not about politics or big business or the economy.  This is about life. 

Margaret Mead stated, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

In the Rolling Stone article, Bill notes “Green groups, for instance, have spent a lot of time trying to change individual lifestyles: the iconic twisty light bulb has been installed by the millions, but so have a new generation of energy-sucking flat screen TVs. Most of us are fundamentally ambivalent about going green: We like cheap flights to warm places, and we're certainly not going to give them up if everyone else is still taking them."

When will we ever learn? 

Germany is making great strides in reducing their carbon footprint and doing what they can to protect their small plot of land on this earth.  They are one of the “somebodies” who are doing something without worrying about what others think.  They are thinking of their children’s futures and their children’s children’s futures. 

There are those who say doing a little is not enough. I disagree. We need to start somewhere and if we can start with something little that then turns into something bigger then we are making progress.  We need to make progress
faster but unless there is some major catastrophe that requires people to react
sooner than later, I just don’t see that happening.  The generations of somebodies” who are alive today were brought up with “comforts” in place and it is what we know.  We live in a time where people fly planes to local and exotic destinations every day; a world where plastics are king; a world where people strive to “own” more and more. 

We do not own anything.  We are just here for a short time.  When we are dead and gone, those who live on have to deal with whatever we left behind.  You are “somebody.” Let’s leave something good for the next generation.