When my husband, Keith Williams, an avid environmentalist and dedicated scientist, comments on some act or thought of particular moral value, he says, “That is a noble thing.”

At this moment in time, every living being on Earth is facing the greatest challenge ever presented. This challenge comes from the wisdom of a living sage, Edward O. Wilson.

In his latest in a series of books about the fate of the Earth, he cries from the pain of knowledge that our future is in our hands. Those hands, however, are tied tightly to our short-range thinking and planning. Added to that, our thinking and planning is based only on economic gain, territorial acquisition and selfishness.

It is there for all to see, but too many do not see. Our eyes are closed to the terrifying thought that we are facing not only our own mortality, but also the end of the mysterious evolution of the human race.

Is there time to stop this extinction – known as the Sixth Extinction? Only when the mighty masses of people open their eyes and minds to the probability that we face the ultimate noble challenge. With Dylan Thomas let us say, “Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Sally Breen

Windham


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