Environmental Unity in Earth Letter

By Josh Gross, Outreach Coordinator

Friends,

As you may recall, my last blog was about how every human being is united by their dependence on the Earth. I did not know this at the time, but the fall 2012 edition of Earth Letter is focused on that very topic.

Whether we realize it or not, what we do to the environment has profound effects on our neighbors all over the globe. This is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it means that the damage we cause to the environment hurts everyone. As Sr. JoAnn Showalter points out in her article titled “Our Call: Peace, Reconciliation, and the Earth,” the excessive burning of fossil fuels by Americans means people living in low-lying areas around the world must go to greater lengths to keep their homes from being washed away. However, our shared reliance on the Earth can also bring people together.

One of the most profound examples of how environmental stewardship can lead to unity is Fred Bahnson’s article in the latest edition of Earth Letter. It’s titled “A Garden Becomes a Protest,” and it’s one of the most moving pieces I’ve ever read. It tells the story of Cedar Grove, a town in North Carolina divided by racial tension. When one of their beloved citizens was murdered, the people of Cedar Grove decided to establish a community garden.

I don’t want to spoil the ending, but the creation of this garden had impacted the inhabitants of Cedar Grove in ways they couldn’t have anticipated. It united the community and helped heal its many wounds. Fred Bahnson’s article truly is an inspirational story.

If you want to read the rest of “A Garden Becomes a Protest,” as well as the many other well-written articles in the fall 2012 edition of Earth Letter, consider becoming an Earth Ministry member. Individual membership costs $35, and you can join here:

Earth Ministry Join Page