Photo Courtesy of 350.org
I was running an errand the other evening, when a song came up on the radio that I hadn’t heard in quite a while. It’s ‘Ship of Fools’ by the band World Party, and I never really paid much attention to the lyrics and their meaning before now, although I’ve always liked it.
Hearing it for the first time in what might be years, and given my current state of mind regarding the world in general, this song hit home for me with surprising force:
We’re setting sail
To the place on the map from which no one has ever returned
Drawn by the promise of the joker and the fool
By the light of the crosses that burn…Pay, you will pay tomorrow
You’re gonna pay tomorrowOh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools, no no
I want to run and hide
Right nowAvarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
Drowning in the oceans of history
Travellin’ the world, you’re in search of no good
But I’m sure you’ll build your Sodom like I knew you would
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
As your little boat struggles through the the warning wavesBut you will pay, you will pay tomorrow
You’re gonna pay tomorrowOh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools, no
Where’s it comin’ from or where’s it goin’ to?
It’s just a ship of fools
All aboard
I’m sure that the songwriters intended this as more a political and cultural statement, but in my current state of mind, it really brings to the fore all the politicians and corporations who are deliberately turning their heads away from the overwhelming evidence of climate change, and the havoc it is wreaking on our planet.
I’m working daily to try and make a change for the better regarding our natural world, but so often it feels like throwing a pebble into the ocean – my small efforts just can’t effect the change necessary to save our world. I’m afraid for myself, my children and grandchildren, and all the other human beings on this planet who will suffer the impacts of global climate change due to the greed and mass consumption of a relatively small number of people.
Isn’t anyone else as scared as I am about our future? And if you are, why aren’t you outraged at the people who are working hard to keep us on the same path, and working against those who try to change? Our western culture of consumerism at all costs is having a horrific toll on the Earth. What dismays me most is that despite all the efforts of those working to enlighten our children about the beauty of the natural world and how important it is to save it, there’s still a major disconnect.
If I could get one message across to as broad an audience as possible it would be this: you make a MAJOR impact on our world for good or ill every time you open your wallet. Who and what you support is directly determined by what you buy every day – from groceries and household goods, to toys, electronics and recreational products. You have the ability to either support companies that supply our culture with over-packaged, over-processed, over-priced crap, or companies that are working to help build a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.
The next time you pick something up and consider buying it STOP and think about this: how much packaging is there? What are the ingredients? Are they toxic to produce, consume or when they break-down? How much do you need this? Is there a more eco-friendly alternative? Can you buy it used? Who made this and where? How far did it have to travel to get to you?
You don’t have to do a major lifestyle overhaul to live more lightly on the earth. All you have to do is consider the products you buy with a bit more thought.
Want to know more? Start here: 350.org
There is a huge disconnect! We are trying harder and harder to be more conscious of our purchases, and we try to explain to our kids why we may or may not buy certain products. There are more resources out there that can help, but how many people use them is another story. While it seems like a hug uphill battle, I think we just have to keep educating and talking and writing and modeling for our kids (and others). It’s gotta have some effect, right?
On a side note, I have no idea why politicians are ignoring the obvious. The fact that Maine barely had any snow last year kind of scared me!
Exactly! I’m glad to know other folks get this. And politicians are ignoring the climate change issue because both campaigns are heavily funded by the oil and gas industries. Which totally sucks, and is the exact reason our political system is broken. But that’s another rant. 🙂