The View From My Window

I first became aware of environmental issues when I was in my early teens in New York City in the early 1970's. We had a distant view of a factory which continuously belched smoke into the air and poison into the river which ran by it. I became heartsick as I watched the air and water get filthier every day. I wanted to do something to stop this so started reading about environmental issues.

We soon relocated to northern California and visited the great National Parks in the west. This further fostered my love of and engendered my respect for the earth and inspired me to join my first environmental group. From the Native American cultures I came into contact with, I learned of Chief Seattle, who wrote: "All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man does not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

If we do not save the environment and treat all living creatures with kindness there will be nothing left to save. Our fate will be sealed.