New Zealand Celsias

Animal abuse is a widespread phenomenon from Canada to Mexico to India and back. In fact, it is so widespread that there are no accurate statistics to denounce how many animals suffer at the hand of man. In fact, most abuse or neglect cases go un-reported. This is partially because most abuse occurs on private properties or in homes, away from watchful eyes and partially because our mantra as human beings is ‘don’t believe it till you see it’. This works great for hoaxes like crop circles and aliens, but it doesn’t work so well for the real issues. You might be wondering what animal abuse really has to do with the environment. In plain sight, nothing, but when you look at the way humanity behaves, they have a lot in common.

Animal abuse has been occurring in homes around the world, forever. Yet, Canada’s cruelty laws, for example, have not been updated since they were written -- in 1892! This means that for over 100 years animals have been abused without anything being done. Many people believe that animal shelters are safe places for dogs and cats and that they all have happy endings when the reality is that 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized yearly in shelters all over the world that are supposed to protect them  .This is a grave example of the ancient Chinese proverb: "To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t end at animal abuse. Right now, this same concept is occurring for the environment and the issues at hand there. What has been continuing a steady downward spiral is going unnoticed because people choose not to see it or concern themselves with it.

When it comes to animal abuse people just assume that is how it is. That even though shelters euthanize millions of animals on an annual basis there is nothing they can do about it. Society as a whole is using the same excuse for the environment. We know global warming is happening. We know that the climate is changing. We know that animal species are disappearing and the eco-systems are fragile. But, that is the way it is. Right?

Here is the problem with thinking that way. It is fine if one person thinks they can’t do anything, but when you multiple that by billions of people, all of a sudden you have only one person trying to make change. While one person can make a difference, they cannot reverse the damage of six billion.

Instead, humanity needs to stop using the idea that one person can’t make a difference as an excuse for not doing our individual parts. Every person is at fault for the way the world is today, some more than others, but at the same time, every person is capable of changing it, again, some more than others. You might be a housewife from Wisconsin or a lawyer in New York or a fisherman in Nova Scotia or maybe even a farmer in Kenya, but everyone can make a difference when it comes to the environment. It is largely the fault of urban cities and communities, but everyone can affect it for the better or worse. 

It is time that we step up as individuals and as a society. Mother Nature has given us everything and we take, take, and take, but Mother Nature cannot sustain our greed for an infinite period of time. If we want this planet to exist for our children, grandchildren and great-grand-children then we need to start today.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” - Edward Everett Hale

Even if you get involved in a recycling program, take shorter showers from now on, stop printing every document, walk to work, or turn your lights off when you leave the room, it all adds up! Especially when you are accompanied by six billion people who instead of thinking they cannot change it or that is the way it is, instead believe that they have a part to play. 

Together, we can save the environment  .