What Does It Mean to Be a "Steward of the Earth"?

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

-Jane Goodall

During Earth month, we are offered an opportunity to take a moment to explore our understanding of the impact that we have on the Earth and the larger web of life that we are a part of. Some of us may be feeling a sense of immediacy to learn more about how to make more ethical changes this year, and some of us may feel it is unimportant in comparison to many other issues that we may be currently dealing with. Most of us want to do the right thing, but we may be feeling overwhelmed and unclear on how or where to get started. We can feel that the problems are too big, even though there may be a little voice inside calling us to make a different choice, or to start to learn about other more ethical and sustainable possibilities. We may be waiting for someone to tell us where to start.

What is a “Steward of the Earth?”

Earth Stewardship is about our relationship to and with the Earth. A “Steward of the Earth” considers the highest good for all, and takes the time to consider how their choices will impact the world around them before taking action. Earth Stewards protect, nurture, and live in harmony with nature and the flow of life. 

Earth Stewardship is active, compassionate action, and our ethical responsibility as the caretakers of life on our planet. It is our responsibility to enhance and give back to rather than only to deplete and take from our environment. Earth Stewardship requires patience, honesty, trust, and the ability to slow down to question our choices and actions so that we are choosing compassion, respect, and consideration for all of life. We have the awareness that the choices that we make today affect life tomorrow and ripple out to effect all future generations and life on this planet.

Inspiration to begin:

• The time to begin is today, we each make a difference!

• Create time and space to acknowledge the grief, anger, or sadness that you may be feeling about all that feels out of control in the world at this time. These emotions come from a deep caring for life and the world.

• Take a moment to expand your perspective to see how you can positively impact the world around you each day, even if it is a small quiet action.

• Take time to get clear about what you hope for our planet, and take actions toward making it happen. We can embrace "active hope", even in the face of uncertainty.

• Create regular time and space to pause and ask yourself, “Is this an ethical choice? Is this the right thing to do? How could this choice affect other people, the environment, and the planet? How do I give back to life?

• Create time and space to do research about how your choices and actions may be impacting Earth and the web of life, and to learn about more ethical alternatives that are possible.

• Spend regular time in nature to cultivate a sense of reverence and nurture a deep connection with the Earth.

• Share your journey with those around you. By modeling our ethical actions, others may see that another way is possible and become inspired!