Salgado returned to his native Brazil eight years ago to find the farms and forests of his childhood decimated by development (that's us, people, and the choices we make). He was shocked, and overwhelmed by a sense of loss. The book project is part of his response. In an interview with blogger Dominique Browning which appeared in the New York Times, Salgado said, "I wanted to show people what we are losing. Our very existence on this planet is in danger."
Another part of his response has been to plant trees, over two million of them to date, with help from his wife, Lelia Deluiz Wanick, the government of Brazil and the foundations they recruited to help. In a reminder that a simple action can be the antidote to despair, Salgado offers, "If we can do this, just two people, imagine what we all can do together. Imagine what governments can do if they decide it is important."
Salgado credits his work on the Genesis project with taking him to surprising places, both physically and in his soul. "You cannot imagine how this project restored my soul...I believe that all together we are coming to another ideal for our planet. We are waking up. A big hope began to grow inside me. And I think hope is also growing in the world."So on this Earth Day 2013, after a week that has rocked our collective sense of safety and security, let's act as if we are awake to the natural beauty around us and aware that we are called to stewardship. Fall in love with the Earth. What choices will you make (about what you buy, how you eat, how you spend your precious time...) when you are in love with our planet?
Wondering how to start? Try these ideas:
- take a walk like Michael Moore
- plant some shit like Ron Finley
- get over yourself like yours truly
- _______ insert your idea here
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