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Opinion

You, Too, Can Change the World

By JOHN GATHRIGHT


だれでも世界は変えられる

だれにでも世界は変えられる 筆者の自宅近くのコンビニの前には いつも10代の若者たちが たむろしている。 ある日、筆者が彼らに話しかけてみると 自分たちでは何も変えられないと 思い込んでいることがわかって…。

Koji, Emi, Akira and Tsutomu have become living landmarks in our community: the Squatting Teens. Every night from dusk to dawn they can be found hanging out in front of the local convenience store, surrounded by cigarette butts and trash.

After months of walking past them I decided to squat and chat with them a while. I learned that for the past two years these teens have simply been hanging out in front of convenience stores and train stations killing time!

"Wow, two years! In two years you could have changed the world!" I said.

After falling off their heels from laughter, Emi gathered her composure and said, "Sure! Four teens can't even change their lives; they certainly can't change the world!" Emi, Koji, Tsutomu and Akira all launched into complaining about Japan, the society, the future and the lack of personal freedoms.

Shocked, I said, "You guys have it all wrong! By just killing time you are killing opportunities. You can change the world! All it takes is one person to make a difference. I know scads of people who by doing even small things are making a difference."

"OK, impress us. What's being done?"

I know of a lady, only 23 years old, named Julia Butterfly Hill, who is making a difference. On Dec. 10, 1997, she climbed atop a 54-meter ancient redwood tree in northern California that she affectionately calls Luna. She has not come down yet. She is conducting a courageous vigil to save the last 3 percent of ancient American forests from being commercially logged.

She has vowed not to come down until laws are created and passed to protect Luna and the other ancient trees. I explained that December 1999 will mark two years spent atop her perch in the tree.

She lives on a 1.8 m by 2.4 m platform in the sky, using a bucket for a toilet, candles for lights and a small gas stove for cooking. Kindhearted friends attach her food to a rope at the base of the tree and raise it up to her home in the sky.

She has braved 144 kph winds, storms, freezing temperatures, and survived the Pacific Lumber company starve-out patrols, climbing police, insults, floodlights, helicopter and siren intimidation and has now successfully made history for her enduring protest against clear cut logging.

She speaks with a solar phone, giving interviews and advice on global environmental issues, and because of her efforts new laws to protect the ancient forest are being drafted in both North and South America.

While telling Julia's story I could see the flicker of youthful passion and excitement in their eyes. Emi was touched but expressed her fear of inadequacy. I believe that we are all born with everything we need to change the world. All we need is to be passionate enough about a cause to pursue it with all our energies. The adage, "Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life," is so true.

Every good act we do changes the world for the better. Let us not go into the new millennium as global spectators but as participants in the shaping of the 21st century! Instead of killing time, start improving life!


Shukan ST: Dec. 3, 1999

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