There she was on the street, bright-eyed, with 'that' expectant smile,
with a clipboard and a badge, probably in the middle of a university education.
And she spots me and her eyes widen, and she smiles, in anticipation, and she says something like are you concerned about the environment?
I look her in the eye and say, What did you have in mind? Regretting even saying that much. I should have just kept walking.
Do you think we should be taking greater care of it?
I think for a minute and I say, Yes, but we’re not, are we.
And she says so that would be a yes?
And I say, Yes, No, I don’t think we are going to make it? I look her in the eye and shrug, either way.
And she says, well, do you want me to tell you how we can?
I think blah, blah, blah. And I say that I think it is all too late.
But would you rather think positively about it because its better than having negative thoughts. Right?
And I wonder if laughing is an appropriate response? But I don’t.
She holds my gaze, waiting for more.
And I don’t think she really understands what I am saying. I think a bit more, and I say, What are we saving? Really? What?
And she opens her clip board,
but I continue on, look at Ukraine, look at the Middle East.
She tilts her head and opens her mouth to speak.
At any point, 50% of the world hates the other 50%.
But, she says…
Half the world doesn’t have access to fresh water, or enough food, while the other half is eating itself to death.
But, she says again.
And those with more won’t give up anything to those people who have less.
But 'people power' has bought 80% renewable energy to South Australia, she says. 100% some days.
I wonder, again, if laughing is an appropriate response. But, I wonder, instead, what percentage of the world is South Australia?
So, doesn’t that say anything is possible?
Rundle Mall, and Hindley Street, and the BBQ Inn, and Glenunga and Unley and St Peters, all flash through my mind, and I say, The majority of the world isn’t taking climate change seriously.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t.
But it is not going to save us?
It might. No, it can.
But, even you, I say. You are not standing here for the good of human kind.
Why do you think I am standing here then, she says.
To save yourself, I say. You are standing here to save yourself.
