How Do I Love Thee? St. Valentine's Day Reflections on our Planet Earth, God's Creation

Linda B. Rimer, Environmental Stewardship Committee Chair

February 14, a day that history and our mythology have taught us to consider as consecrated to lovers, is especially appropriate for writing letters to express our fondness and appreciation for the loved one. While our first thoughts normally focus on a person, what would a love letter to our planet, Earth, look like? And what, exactly, might we be expressing that love and appreciation for?

In the early 19th century, Elizabeth Barrett Browning asked this question, “How do I love thee?” and then answered: “let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach ....” Surely, God intends for us to love and care for the planet He provided for us. He has given that instruction in the Bible. But do we really appreciate all that our planet does for each and every one of us, each and every day?

For those who could benefit from a gentle reminder of the ways in which Earth supports us, it is helpful to recall the story of Biosphere II, built in 1991 in Oracle, Arizona. Do you remember reading about this 3.2-acre glass and metal dome, built to mimic the earth's main ecosystems? The plan was for eight scientists to live in the dome, demonstrating how humans could use their knowledge and technology to support life independent of natural systems. But two years later, that engineered environment was dying. The scientists had survived for two years only because fresh air had been pumped in. Despite $200 million worth of elaborate equipment, Biosphere II had failed to generate drinkable water, breathable air, and adequate food for just eight people. And yet, Biosphere I, our planet Earth, performs these tasks effortlessly every day -- for over six billion of us.

And so, what might a love letter to Earth look like? How should we express our love and appreciation for this complex set of interlocked ecosystems that makes life possible? Is a recitation of all we experience sufficient? For example, can we express our love for plants -- grass, flowers, trees and yes, even weeds; for animals -- the large and small, the lovable and furry ones and the scaled, cold-blooded, and perhaps less lovable ones; for sunshine and rain and wind; for the changing seasons; for the land and air and water that sustains us?

While it is obviously better to love all of these things than to take them for granted, mere words of appreciation will not be sufficient to ensure that Earth continues to provide for humankind into the future. Loving our planet to the depth and breadth and height of our souls will require affirmative actions. We must learn more about our planet and how it works. We must learn how to take better care of our planet. And we must share what we know with others so that we can all become better stewards of God's creation.