Making change together

Morgan Rooney
MSMU Class of 2020

(4/2020) We’re living in a time that is much divided; we’re living amongst people who are very different from each other. Throughout all the continents, countries, states, provinces, cities, towns and villages of the world, there are few things that often bring us together. Though we are all human, the politics, religions and customs of the world often distract us from joining together to move forward into a better future for us all.

When I hear political arguments, I try to remember that nothing is all black and white. In the end, we all want the same thing: a better life for us, our children and our community. We have different opinions on the best way to get there and different mental images of what that utopian future will look like, yet we are working towards one common goal.

Ever since I was a child, I have been told about the many beautiful places in the world. I watched movies, seen countless photographs and even had the opportunity to travel to many places, both in and out of the country. When I was in elementary school, I was first told about the dangers of global warming. By the time I made it to middle school, we were taught about climate change and what that means for differing places in the world. In high school, I was able to take a science course called "Environmental Systems." In this class, we talked about the natural environmental systems in the world and different ways of creating energy in a clean way. I learned a lot and it has had a lasting impact on the way I think about the world.

In the spring of 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated. By April 1990, over 200 million people from a variety of different nations were taking part in some sort of Earth day celebration. Despite division, many came together to raise awareness for protecting our one and only God-given home. For many years after the debut of Earth day, the world continued to grow in celebration to celebrate the Earth and what it has to offer.

It’s hardly a coincidence that Arbor Day take place slightly after Earth Day. Arbor Day, however, was around long before Earth Day. It is said that the first documented arbor plantation festival took place in MondoZedo, a Spanish village, in 1594. It was also in a Spanish village, Villanueva de la Sierra, that Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1805.

In our own country, Arbor Day wasn’t celebrated until 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, an estimate of 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska during the first celebration. This was only the beginning. Arbor Day has been celebrated and many have been encouraged to plant and care for trees all around the world ever since. Trees offer us with many things that we can’t live without; it’s important to give back where we take to keep equilibrium in our ecosystems so we can continue to thrive.

For reasons other than these two holidays rapidly approaching, I think this is an excellent time to think about the Earth and everything in it. Given the current circumstances, there is no better time to come together (figuratively, not literally) because we are all in this together. Some are certainly having a worse time than others, but as a world, we will get through this with all of our ambition and strength. We have one home and intent to bounce right back to where we were, certainly gaining some knowledge along the way.

Alike how we’ve come together amidst this pandemic, unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes, the Earth needs us to come together to make the small life changes needed to keep our planet healthy and thriving as it should be. Making small, daily changes everyday are easy for us and can make a great impact on the world.

This situation proves how quickly we can change when a crisis threats the wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones. It’s truly amazing as I have never seen anything even similar take place since I have been on this Earth. Imagine what would happen if we made changes of a different kind on a daily basis. Although the crisis of climate change doesn’t seem nearly as imminent or personally threatening as a worldwide pandemic, it is still something that we need to combat. I admit to being guilty myself for not acting as in favor of the Earth as I possibly could. I was, however, quick to make changes in order to limit my interaction with other people. I was quick to make the decision to purchase a next day flight after the announcement that the Mount would be transitioning to remote learning. I’ve realized that if I set my mind to something, I can meet my goals. In the future, especially after things begin to revert back to normal, I hope to keep the Earth in mind.

Given that it is my senior year and I am done studying in Emmitsburg, many changes are about to take place in my life. I’ve already taken my last in-person class. I’ve transitioned to doing all of my work at home in Texas. If I was able to transition to a new environment and new way of learning, there is no reason that I shouldn’t be making changes to limit my carbon footprint.

This time is confusing, frightening and something we will remember for the rest of our lives. Everyday, I’m trying to remind myself that at a country and as a world, we will get through this stronger and more knowledgeable than we were before. The Earth is strong as it always has been, and we must do whatever we can to keep it that way. Take time during this period of isolation to celebrate the Earth we live in and everything that resides within it.

Read other articles by Morgan Rooney