Our home the Earth is small

by Lillian Ireland

 

Our home the Earth is small, it’s smaller than you know

From Argentina to Tanzania to Greece and Mexico.

We are all one family and the Earth is our small home,

Hey, what do you know – we all belong, so sing a family song.

Sing of caring for each other, sing of ending all the wars,

Sing of choosing other ways, we’ve got to start opening up the doors.

Our voices seem so small, yet together we grow tall,

Come join in and sing a family song.

Kids in Sweden are just like us, kids in India too,

When they play together, they’re just like me and you.

Kids there sing and clap their hands, kids there laugh and dream.

 Although they seem so far away, they’re much closer than they seem.

Sing of caring for each other, sing of ending all the wars.

Sing of choosing other ways, we’ve got to start opening up the doors.

Our voices seem so small, yet together we grow tall,

Come join in and sing a family song.

I wrote this song when I was involved in the Beyond War movement in the 80’s. Annual awards were given to honour people, organizations and countries with strong commitments to global peace.

Sitting in Vancouver, I had the incredible privilege of joining many others as we witnessed the leaders of Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden and Tanzania simultaneously receive the 3^rd Beyond War Award on a large satellite screen. They were being honoured for their leadership as they helped build a world beyond war through their peace initiatives. Millions banded together for peace for the future of the planet. It was life changing. The efforts made by those six world leaders and many others helped divert a global catastrophe. Awareness led to action.

Masses are acting again for global safeguarding. In 2018, Scotland planted 22 million trees. In July of this year, over one million people in India planted 220 million trees. In August, Ethiopia planted over 300 million trees in a twelve-hour span. Difficult, yes, but doable. Awareness led these countries to action.

Today, Sweden’s young Greta Thunberg is also moving millions. These next two verses are in honour of her and the countless others, including many indigenous sisters and brothers helping lead us all.

Our home needs help; we did it before by many joining hands,

Yet, this is a different battle, and it’s felt across all lands.

Greta Thunberg, wise young woman, leading youth today;

A 16-year-old teenager, pleading for a new way.

Sing of caring for each other, and protection for us all,

Youth are standing up, we must heed their cry-out call.

Indigenous sisters and brothers, also leading us today,

Respect and caring for our home, it is our only way.

Respect and caring for our home, it is our only way.

In the last few months, millions came together, joined in peaceful solidarity around the world in Global Climate Strikes as well as Fridays for Future rallies. For many, it was their first time. They heard Greta’s grief paired with science before the United Nations and carried their own concerns and hopes for theirs’ and the earth’s future as they peacefully marched together.

Yet, it was not the first-time young people spoke before the United Nations. Other young people have also shared their concerns: Severn, Autumn, Ta’Kaiya, Ranton and Alexandria are amongst many who have implored the public to understand their anxiety for the future and called us all to act.

Similar to the grief back in the 80’s, this new cycle of despair, action, hope…is impacting all ages and rippling through our global home.

My prayer and hope are that individually, collectively, corporately, nationally and internationally we will continue moving forward with enough awareness, commitment and grit to make substantial and effective changes. No change is too small and no change is too large to add to the global momentum.  As in the 80’s, despair can immobilize us but action not only empowers, it has the possibility to change the world. Let’s keep moving forward.