I believe everyone has a contribution to make in our effort to right spaceship earth. If we don’t make a group effort, we’re headed toward the worst forecasts science has to offer. But, are we all equally responsible for changing the trajectory of our environmental stewardship?
Before we answer this question, we need to get aligned on what luck is…
Luck is real. And some of us have more of it than others.
How much control do you have over these life-altering rolls of the dice?
- Where you are born
- What parents you have
- Who you meet in school
- How the economy is performing when you enter the work force
These are only four out of the thousands of life-altering variables we have almost no control over. What better way to describe any positive outcome from each of these variables than luck?
Of course, some of these contribute more to luck than others. Your genetics and the household you were born into are some of the biggest luck drivers.
There is also a fair and lengthy argument to be made about the role of free will and hard work.
Arnold Palmer’s famous line is too good to ignore: “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”
However, this post isn’t about luck or hard work. Regardless of your belief, we can all agree that some people have been dealt a better hand than others. We all have a different hand to play, and in the game of spaceship earth, we must play our hands to the best of our ability.
Let’s do what we can, with what we have, where we are.
If you are lucky enough to have your basic needs covered, donate your spare time and/or money to a good cause.
If you can start a business to solve one of the many environmental problems we are facing, do it!
If you can get a job at a company that is working to solve environmental challenges, do it!
If all you can do is volunteer one day per week, do it!
We are facing complex environmental problems that need to be attacked from all angles. You don’t need to be a climate scientist to contribute. Rise to the level of luck you’ve been dealt. If all you can muster is a few dollars to donate, or a few hours per month, that’s okay. We should all be helping each other in any way we can, get to our shared goal: a more just and sustainable society.
Don’t underestimate the value of your contribution to the planet. And if you happen to get lucky one day, don’t forget that with great luck comes great responsibility.
