People have turned their backs on the environment in so many ways. They thoughtlessly vote for ignorant leaders who are deniers of manmade climate change, take vacations in heavily polluting jet planes, drive large, gas-guzzling fossil fuel vehicles, etc. Extremely severe climate-related disasters are occurring every day (and are being reported more and more frequently in the news).
I am 73 years old now. As a very young child, i had premonitions about the environment eventually coming to incalculable destruction (due to mankind’s abuse, neglect, pollution, and indifference). We can all do better for the environment. The environment is not something separate from what we are. We are the environment. The environment is what the self is. Mindfulness and goodness involve self-understanding and genuine care and order. We are the world and the world is us. Please don’t divorce yourself from the environment. We can take a more caring, environmentally sound, and simple approach to living (and still have plenty of joy and blissful existence).
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
100% correct on all counts. You can’t convince anyone and God knows I’ve tried. Is that a box elder bug. They will be here when we are gone. I’ll be gone before you, most certainly. Keep trying though. I do.
Thank you, Marlene. 😊 It’s not a Box Elder Bug… it’s a Spined Soldier Bug (a type of Stink Bug). They eat caterpillars and insect pests.
Yes, if someone doesn’t give a rat’s behind about the environment, debating with them will not likely make much difference. Ignorance is firm in many.
Amen to that, Tom.
Yes indeed… thank you, Sandy. 😊
Welcome.
It’s sad and horrifying at the same time what is happening to our planet. God save us and your premonitions are spot on. I hope Mother Earth does not turn into a fiery ball while we are still here. I shudder to think of what will be happening by the turn of the next century. That is one savvy stink bug you have there Tom. He is pretty engrossed in you taking its photo. 🙂
Thanks about the insect, Linda. 😊 He was defintely aware of the camera.
Yes, what is happening to our planet, by man, is extremely horrifying. We are (now anyway) a very sick and cancerous species. God isn’t going to save us. That sacred intelligence basically has a hands-off policy regarding what happens in the universe, so it will definitely not be coming down with some kind of magic wand to make things better. We will succumb to the pitfalls of our own lack of intelligence and concern. Yes, the future looks to be even far worse. Because of my premonitions, i decided that i would not want to bring kids into this world. It was the right decision. However, we still all need to do better (for the environment), as best we can.
Very interesting just how aware that insect was Tom – people think “oh, just a bug, an insect” not giving it a second thought as to intelligence. But it is us, homo sapiens, who lack intelligence – we’ve made a mess of things – no one can dispute that. I likewise have no children and I hope our remaining years will see people take more interest in our environment. We do, of course, but cannot do it alone.
With the current administration’s lack of concern for curtailing man-made climate change, the near future looks barren and bleak. We will see even more species vanish from existence; we will see even more terrible, violent weather. But it is what it is and we must not let it ruin ourselves psychologically.
Very true Tom. Enjoy what we have for as long as we can as you say and make those walks in nature count long after we’ve taken them. I am worried for severe weather. I was always mindful during storms, but every storm turns into severe weather anymore. I was a nervous wreck several times anticipating a possible tornado.
Hi Tom – I already replied to your comment, however, I just saw this on a National Geographic social media site and I just had to share it as you and I discuss how smart wildlife is, like your stink bug scoping you out. This little article is about ants:
National Geographic:
“What an amazing discovery! Scientists have discovered that ants, after collecting the grains and seeds that they need for winter break those seeds down into halves before storing in their nests because breaking them in half keeps them from germinating even through rain and the most perfect germinating conditions. But scientists were stunned when they discovered that coriander seeds stored in the ant nest were broken down into 4 pieces instead of 2 pieces. After lab research, scientists discovered that a coriander seed will still germinate after being divided into two, but it won’t germinate after it’s divided into four parts. So how do these tiny tiny creatures know all this? Humans know very little, there’s a lot to learn from other creatures.”
That is so amazing about the ants and the seed storage, Linda! Thanks so much for sharing it!
I have Sesame Street often playing for the parrots (in their room) and one episode mentioned that ants never sleep… which is so interesting. 😉
I thought it was amazing too Tom and had to share it with you as I knew you’d appreciate their intelligence, especially since we had just commented on this stink bug’s awareness of your presence. I never knew that ants didn’t sleep. I suppose someone who had an ant farm would have been able to notice the fact that ants never sleep. They are constantly foraging for food to bring back to the queen I’m guessing is the reason. Remember kids used to have ant farms back in the day?
I agree with you wholeheartedly, just wish more people will agree and take this thing more seriously.
Yes, exactly, Yinlan. People need to wake up and realize that it is now or never to help regarding preventing climate change. Our world is a small place.
Yikes Tom I am NOT getting notifications of your posts – darn – you know I hate that word environment – it’s an’ it’ not a Being – not part of us – or more accurately we are not part of her/Him – just one bloated ego species who thinks that AI our newest savior will get us out of this mess – neither candidate gave the rest of nature even a nod – of course t will actively destroy – but I have to remember that most of the American people voted for him – few notice nature except to use her – all we want in this country is money and power – we’ll see how this dangerous game really plays out. I would go as far as to say that the further we divorce ourselves from the rest of nature the unhappier we shall become…the bottom line is that most don’t care. Like you, I too had a preemption as an adolescent that the machine mind would take over and nature would be destroyed – maybe that’s one reason I became a naturalist? Never thought of that before. Love that photo – of course!!!!
PS you can see how bright that stink bug is! You caught it!
People, most people, won’t change significantly enough, Sara. So we just have to adjust to their stupidity and not let it affect us psychologically. 😉
I have used those same words – we have to adjust to their stupidity, greed, need for power and money and let the game play out.
Yes, Sara, it’s like a big, silly Monopoly Game with a lot of immature (i.e., superficial) motives involved.
How very right you are, Tom! I wish more people would see it this way. Beautiful image, although not a fan of stink bugs! lol
Thanks for this Tom. Please take a look at Arcosanti, Soleri’s vision for humanity.