Saving Starfish

Image accessed 4/19/2018: http://morgridgefamilyfoundation.org/why-we-save-the-starfish/

In January at an event honoring civil rights icon Martin Luther King, newly elected congresswoman and media sensation Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made an alarming statement, “The world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change...This is the war — this is our World War II.”

Say what you will about AOC, her politics, or her stardom, due to her social media and policy influence, AOC’s comment continues to reverberate. It stands as a harsh reminder that we are up against something big--climate change and the toll the human race has exacted on the spinning ball we call home. “The end,” as AOC puts it, may not be in 12 years, but some really tough decisions are upon us. Scientists agree, if we hope to turn the tide of destruction, we have to act quickly and boldly.

I don’t know about you, but the sheer size of what we are up against weighs heavily on my heart. I can’t seem to be able to wrap my head around what I, my family, or my community can do to make any impact. When challenges just seem too big and my impact just too small, I always remember the starfish story. Do you know it?

It goes something like this…

A young man was walking along the beach. Off in the distance he sees a figure bending down, standing up, and throwing something into the ocean. Over and over, the figure repeats. Bends down. Picks something up. Throws something toward the water.

As the young man gets closer, he realizes that the figure is an older man bending down to pick up starfish off of the shore that have washed up onto the sand at high tide and are stranded in what will soon be the hot sun, certain death awaiting.

The young man noticed that the entire seashore was lined with thousands of starfish. He approached the elderly gentleman and said, “Excuse me, sir. I can’t help but notice that you are picking up these starfish one by one and throwing them into the ocean. I imagine you’re doing so to save them from being dried up in the sun.”

“Yes, son. That is true,” replied the old man.

As the young man looked down the shore seeing all the starfish remaining, he remarked. “But, sir, there are thousands of starfish along this shore as far as the eye can see. How can you possibly make a difference?”

The old man looked at the inquisitive young man, slowly bent down, picked up a starfish and motioning to the starfish in his hand, he said, “It makes a difference to this one.”

He promptly threw the starfish in the ocean and continued his effort.

I have loved this story since the moment I first heard it as a high school student. I have used this story in my own teaching and harkened back to it in my own life.

As I think about the immensity and intensity of the environmental challenges facing us, I’m reminded of the starfish story.

I know there is so much I can’t do. But that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything.

As we approach Earth Day 2019, will you join me in considering how you might individually do your part?

Maybe it’s discontinuing the use of ziplock bags when packing your kids’ lunches and instead using alternatives to single use packaging.

Maybe it’s regularly carrying a refillable water bottle and refusing the single use bottles prolific in modern life.

Maybe it’s refusing the straw at your favorite restaurant.

Maybe it’s biking with the kids to school or carpooling with neighbors instead of driving.

Maybe it’s going solar at your home or simply turning down the thermostat.

Maybe it’s purchasing a more eco-friendly car.

There are also some great resources and events for those of us local to the Bay Area...check these out.

Apps and Games

Sustainability Activities

Hike in Woodside

Mountain View Earth Day

Save the Bay

Doing our individual part provides a great example for our children, too. Consider ways in which you can engage your entire family, especially your children in taking smalls steps that make a big difference. Together, we may just be able to save a lot of starfish.

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