Publisher’s Corner
The Symphony Of Change
Have you noticed the change? There’s definitely a “change
a happening.” I have been noticing it for some time
but this past month at the Earth Day celebration in Forest
Park, it became crystal clear. Green is the new Gold. The
standard on which our economy is based can be said to be swayed
by the Green Movement. With new faces in the White House come
November, the change will be ignited and then the rest is
up to us. It’s like being given the baton and asked
to conduct the orchestra. Like calling your own balls and
strikes at the plate. The truth is, the change is here, in
our hands, and we have to do something with it. The consciousness
of the planet is turning greener and greener. Some by the
knowledge of global warming and some by the simple understanding
that we are cannibalizing our planet. If you use it up faster
than it can grow back, it won’t be long until it’s
gone. Simple, really. Green is certainly gold right now in
marketing. Just look in this issue of The Healthy Planet and
magazines and newspapers around the country -- more and more
ads promote “Green”. Businesses and organizations
see the importance of becoming a part of the “Green
Consciousness”. These businesses are making the changes
not only to keep up, but because they, too, have gotten the
message about change. Green is Good! The people who own businesses
who are Going Green are getting the message. They are taking
steps that can help sustain this change. This is a good business
decision and a sign of social responsibility. Earth Day in
St. Louis this year was a huge success. More vendors, more
conversation, more crowds, more concern, and yes... more change.
Everyone I talked to could feel the change. Hundreds of people
autographed a huge lettered sign that read, “Vote Green”.
Thousands could have signed, but they ran out of space. Dozens
and dozens of petitions were circulated and people were signing
and signing and signing. People want change. And it is here.
But once given the baton, how will we lead? If Green is the
new Gold, how will we keep it from losing its luster? Seems
to me we have to find a way to involve everyone in this change.
All political parties, all races, all genders, all ages, all
income levels, all ideas. If everyone feels involved, everyone
holds a piece of that baton. In every great orchestra there
are people from all walks of life. And yet they make beautiful
music together despite their political, ethnic, gender or
age differences. That’s what we need with the Green
Movement. We need everyone to to take a place in the orchestra.
Everyone needs to contribute to the Symphony of Change. And
I know there will be standing ovations and glowing reviews.
Not just because this change is upon us, but because the very
essence of change is the hopeful feeling that social change
creates a better life for all. The Healthy Planet is proud
to be one of the sponsors of the Humane Society Of Missouri’s
Bark in the Park event May 17. On the cover is a picture of
Rudy, our Green Living Editor’s new family additon adopted
from the Humane Society. See page 44 for more information
on Bark in the Park.
J.B. Lester, Publisher
