The To Do List We Didn't Follow

 

almanac.com

In my beautiful dream, back then,
when scientists spoke, world leaders
and populations listened.
They began the carefully legislated transition
to clean energy, reduced emissions,
sustainable logging, preservation of
all remaining old growth on the planet.
Use of bamboo and hemp was encouraged
Instead of wood to build earth-friendly homes. 

25 trees were planted

for every second growth tree they cut.

Pesticides and poisons were banned.
Laws were passed to ensure
industrial "farm" animals
were treated humanely. Small family farms
were subsidized, instead of corporations.
People shopped locally; many grew their own food.
The entire global population reduced
their meat consumption,
greatly reducing emissions.
Industry was required to pay taxes proportionate
to their profit margins. No more fricking
fracking. To gain access to resources,
corporations were required to restore
all the damaged ecosystems they had harmed.

Teams were put together
to clean all water systems.
Oil pipelines were dismantled. 
Clean water systems were developed
everywhere instead.
Laws were passed to reduce plastic
production and its use;
Inventors found new ways
to re-use plastic and rubber
for roads and infrastructure.
Grants were given for electric cars;
public transit was improved and
was available everywhere.

In time, Mother Earth drew an easy breath
and began to heal. She and humankind
worked together, because we knew
we were a part of nature, not its master.
Skies cleared; temperatures lowered;
the whole wide wonderful world turned green.
The non-human realm began to flourish once again.
All the dying stopped.
Mother Earth tries so hard to heal,
given half a chance.

This dream, this beautiful dream
makes nature spirits dance.

My prompt at earthweal on Monday contemplates The World That Might Have Been had early warnings been heeded. Sigh. This is my first take. Saving another to link on Monday. Today i can smell smoke from the wildfires. The sky is yellow grey.  The To Do list is more urgent than ever.