| “The
whole human race suffers as a result of environmental blight, and generations
yet unborn will bear the cost for our failure to act today.
But… it is the poor and the powerless who most
directly bear the burden of current environmental carelessness.
Their lands and neighborhoods are more likely to be polluted or to host
toxic waste dumps, their water to be undrinkable, their children be harmed.
Too often, the structure of sacrifice involved in environmental remedies
seems to exact a high price from the poor and from workers.” US Catholic Bishops “ Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and
Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching” Green
Belt Movement www.greenbeltmovement.org The
planting of trees is the planting of ideas. By starting with the simple step of
digging a hole and planting a tree, we plant hope for ourselves and for future
generations. Through the process of mobilizing people to action, GBM addresses
a wide range of issues that directly affect the lives of individuals, particularly
women, and their families, including education, access to water, equity, and reproductive
health. People then begin to stand up for their rights and those of their communities.
It is their empowerment that truly leads them to decide to prioritize the environment,
good governance, and cultures of peace. |
