We regularly hear of how humans trample over the landscape and waterscape, doing seemingly irreparable damage. We are told that species are disappearing at an alarming rate as a result of our thoughtlessness and greed. As Christians we often talk a good game about respect for God's Creation, but our habits and practices don't necessarily reflect what we say we believe.
So, it's good to be reminded of the successful efforts toward "tikkun olam," the Jewish concept of mending the world.
The whooping cranes, a species which was nearly extinct in the 1940's with only 16 individuals left, have returned to Canada this Spring relatively intact. They Winter in Louisiana and Texas and Summer in Alberta and Saskatchewan. There are now more than 500 birds and over 200 breeding pairs, but crane watchers were worried that the Gulf oil spill might affect them. Fortunately they escaped the effects of the spill and will get on with the serious work of raising families.
I often wonder at the costly and labour intensive efforts to rectify the ways in which we have screwed up. Why can't we "have a care" up front rather than frantically work to repair what we have broken? Is it just human nature? In the meantime we can be grateful for all those individuals and governments working to make things better.
What are your thoughts?
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