I’ve spent time down at the Capitol Square on summer mornings this year. The square is long the home to the famous Farmers’ Market. There is, also, a troop of organizations who have information tables across the sidewalk from these local farmers. They attempt to pass along their various messages to the crowd. In our case, it’s the climate change action agendas of 350.org. Science, politics, petitions.
Admittedly, these tables are sometimes just wallpaper for the counter-clockwise conveyor belt of market goers. Folks are, after all, on the mission of vegetables and honey and pasteries. A glance and a smile our way is the norm. So I get the chance to really watch people as they slowly stream by. It occurred to me on my recent visit that one demographic really stood out in this crowd...toddlers.
Two-year-olds and three-year-olds. On market morning in Madison there are probably more toddlers in one place than any other in the city at any time of year. Young families obviously take advantage of this wonderful weekend morning event. (They’re up...they might as well be out...)
Toddlers on Dads’ shoulders. Toddlers under one arm. Toddlers walking independently behind parents. Toddlers falling in Capitol Square flower beds. And, it’s stroller mania. Strollers and double strollers. Sibs in strollers. Strollers full of market produce being pushed by toddlers and Mom.
I realized it was not incongruous that my business on the Square on those Saturdays was related to these toddlers. Though I had a smile all morning watching the kids, I was also so very aware of a poignancy: Me, trying to convey a message of a wounded Earth and a future of mind-boggling questions. Me, hoping that these parents have pathways in mind that will infuse a resiliency into that generation.
NASA scientist James Hansen has long been the leading public voice on climate disturbances and their cultural reprecussions. But his voice has added a very personal tone in past years as his two grandchildren were born. Along with his science, Hansen is focused on how the younger generation today will be handed failing systems and harsh climates that might have been forstalled by an earlier generation. His recent book on climate change issues is titled Storms Of My Grandchildren. He would agree that parents of toddlers today need to be, themselves, active agents for a resilient society as well as the nurturers of their children.
Isn't this the best title or slogan or anthem for a family who is devoted to minimizing its impact on the planet? No shirking responsibilities here! No waiting for others to jump in; no making commitments for next week. It's now!
Knowing this family personally, I attest to the rigorous way they arrange their lifestyles to practice what everyone else is preaching. Mom, Julie, manages the family blog, which is now in it's 79th post in one year! The array of issues they have tackled and internalized is enormous.
What makes our connection currently noteworthy is that we both addressed water in our posts this week. Clean, fresh, accessible water. Their post, as you may expect, deals with actions to take right now with bottled water and the water barons who are milking watersheds worldwide. They have also alerted us to the documentary "FLOW".
We all try to make the best decisions each week to keep our footprint light. There is always a certain "training-ourselves" time whenever we add positive behaviors to our list. Sometimes we don't quite get into that training mode. "We Are The Them" can help all of us get seriously motivated. Now.
(Hey, Ben!)
Admittedly, these tables are sometimes just wallpaper for the counter-clockwise conveyor belt of market goers. Folks are, after all, on the mission of vegetables and honey and pasteries. A glance and a smile our way is the norm. So I get the chance to really watch people as they slowly stream by. It occurred to me on my recent visit that one demographic really stood out in this crowd...toddlers.
Toddlers on Dads’ shoulders. Toddlers under one arm. Toddlers walking independently behind parents. Toddlers falling in Capitol Square flower beds. And, it’s stroller mania. Strollers and double strollers. Sibs in strollers. Strollers full of market produce being pushed by toddlers and Mom.
NASA scientist James Hansen has long been the leading public voice on climate disturbances and their cultural reprecussions. But his voice has added a very personal tone in past years as his two grandchildren were born. Along with his science, Hansen is focused on how the younger generation today will be handed failing systems and harsh climates that might have been forstalled by an earlier generation. His recent book on climate change issues is titled Storms Of My Grandchildren. He would agree that parents of toddlers today need to be, themselves, active agents for a resilient society as well as the nurturers of their children.