Today, April 22nd marks the International Mother Earth Day ... Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Nature is suffering. Oceans filling with plastic and turning more acidic. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, have affected millions of people. Climate change, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity, such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet.

The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only succeed if everyone plays a part.

For this International Mother Earth Day, let's remind ourselves - more than ever - that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.

All creation is life……. movement…. work….  

“The Biosphere, or sphere of life….as intimately part of the Earth as the fur of an animal…is essentially one with it, its function is to grow with it, not only for itself, but for Earth’s upkeep and transformation. Life is one of the creative forces of the world; it is an energy, with its special Laws”.  

(To Educate The Human Potential, Maria Montessori)

Human beings, as part of this creative force and as part of this Biosphere have to uphold these laws, because this Earth is our Home. In her writings Montessori refers to Nature as a limitless fountain of experiences that every child should have the opportunity to explore:  

“A child, who more than anyone else is a spontaneous observer of nature, certainly needs to have at his disposal material upon which he can work” … “Here, as in every other kind of activity, the function of the school is to supply him with interesting information and motives for action”.

She goes on explaining that work for a child must possess some variety within itself. A child does not have to know the reasons for sowing or reaping to have his interest aroused. He will readily undertake very simple actions which have an immediate end, or which permit him to use some special effort. He will, for example, gladly pluck weeds from paths or furrows, sweep up dried leaves, or carry away an old branch. To have a field of activity and occasions for new experiences and difficult enterprises bring satisfaction to the animating spirit which prompts a child to make its way in the world.

(The discovery of the Child, Montessori. p.69-77)

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On a different note, I wanted to share this incredible story of resilience and fortitude, that can give us an idea of how important it can be to cherish and take care of our land and our earth in order to cover the most basic need of us human beings: Survival ...

The people of Rapa Nui, Easter Island, know that all too well; they had to rebuild their society and literally re-create themselves from a very small group of their population left on the Island after it was invaded in the 18th Century, 111 to be exact. This, they accomplished through hard work and persistence, so their traditions and culture would be preserved. They occupy a very small piece of land, also called Te Pito o te Henua “Navel of the World” in the Pacific Ocean, and managed to survive many challenges through their history, but kept on the Movement and the Work, and conquered once again their small piece of “Biosphere” which they succeeded to keep “alive” ….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfyKTUL8hkA