Eco-Desiderata, Eco-Desiderata, Eco-Desiderata
Go angrily amid the pollution and waste —
taking a long-term environmental view,
surrendering the things of materialism, as necessary.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with the environment.
Live your life quietly and cleanly; and listen to Nature,
even the plants and animals, for they too have their story.

Avoid lazy and wasteful persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with Nature,
you should become plain and humble;
for always there will be greater wonders than humans.
Enjoy your planting as well as your harvesting.

Exercise caution in your population growth;
for the world has limited resources.
Never be careless about growth;
for in spite of all economies of scale
it is as dangerous as the bomb.

Keep interested in your own community, however small;
for it can change and become a threat
to the environment over time.
But let this not blind you to what freedoms there are;
all responsible persons must strive for ecological living,
and remember what savings there are in recycling.

Obtain knowledge of survival to aid you in ecological living;
and do not distress yourself with reminiscing;
the world must change due to our pollution and overpopulation.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, always be gentle with Nature.

Humans are only animals,
especially with no natural right of superiority.
We are but one species among many,
no more than the trees and the animals —
they have an equal right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
there is no doubt that humans have not been living as they should.

Therefore be at peace with Nature, whatever you conceive it to be;
and whatever your labors and aspirations
in our threatened environment keep waste to a minimum,
since everywhere life is under threat.

Without all our wars, pollution and overpopulation
it could again be a beautiful world.
Be ecological. Sacrifice for the future.