SAVING THE PLANET [comment on current international discussions – Dec 2015]
It seems to me among the threats from which there’s no relief
is warming of the global kind which parches earth and leaf
A menace strong as solid granite
which promises a deadly blow to life throughout the planet
At first we simply turned away, pretending all was well,
but gradually increased the noise from nature’s warning bell
Awareness of this mounting vice
shown clearly in the rising tides and gently melting ice
Why worry at impending doom
this threat, if real, unlikely to be soon
Technology must have some appliance
Let’s get on and check the science
All warnings dire of petrol fumes or dangerous emissions
are set aside by one and all as ignorant suspicions
We claim clean engines now, which never have been better
all problems solved forevermore by catalytic converter
Health experts seem overwrought on dangers of pollution
but others think it can’t be hard to find a good solution
Technocrats are sure to help and even us to save
by harnessing the power of wind, if need be, the waves
We, in the West, too fond of having plenty
Club members of the great G20,
The good and great within its ranks
the chiefs of mighty Central Banks
With power like that we can ensure
the pleadings of the needy poor
do not upset our life of ease
demanding we be kind to trees!
Or temper use of fossil fuels
Or other kinds of nature’s jewels
Resources of those poorer lands
grabbed by our great colonial hands
After all, this is our life
achieved through years of work and strife
At all costs we must keep our gain
To do other, means much pain
But all the nations rich or poor
must work together, seek a cure
And rich may need to learn to suffer
their ease may prove it all the tougher
And when it comes to issues global
problems become highly mobile
No nation stands completely safe
from tempest’s winds or ocean’s waves
The rising tide and searing sun
challenge life for everyone
Disease and famine knock each door
No-one immune – the rich or poor
Perhaps there is a glint of hope,
the need to find a way to cope
Each year is dawning somewhat clearer
as melt-down time seems ever nearer
The leaders seem at last to grasp
before our breath becomes a gasp
That time is short if we’re to save
our children from an early grave
On carbon footprints let’s step light
Gas guzzlers out – get on your bike!
On grow your own, why not be keen?
Your favourite colour should be green
Recycle anything you can
Cut out all waste must be our plan
Turn off the power when not in use
Recycle glass if you must booze!
And so in many little ways
Collective effort stems future blaze
Which global warming has in store
A fate we simply can’t ignore
If citizens will do their bit
Our leaders then might well see fit
To echo modest aspirations
Giving a lead to all our nations
This cannot be the final word
To say that would be quite absurd
The God who made this world at first
remains the One in whom we trust.
Ken Fisher
thebardofkelvindale 