Tag: conservation

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Environmental Concerns In The Song ‘Where Do the Children Play?’

Many of Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ songs convey underlying messages about childhood and the relationships between children and adults, such as ‘Father & Son’ and ‘Oh Very Young,’ to name a few. “Where Do the Children Play?” is no exception. It becomes increasingly timely with each passing day, given the environmental crisis we are facing.

The song refers to the destruction of natural spaces caused by overdevelopment and industrialization. It asks a fundamental question: What future awaits our children when the spaces where they play are increasingly paved over and polluted? 

“Where Do The Children Play” prompts us to consider the inherent features of the ‘progress’ we are making, as well as Humanity’s impact on planet Earth. Essentially, this beautiful and simple song begs for a balanced relationship between Human Beings and nature.

Typical of a Cat Stevens song, the rhythm is quite unique. Here’s my cover.
 

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Issues

The Homeless Man

Climate Change Will Make Us Homeless If We Don't Do More About It Sooner.

When the man carrying a sign walked by my car at the intersection of I-95 and Broward Boulevard, I did not thank my lucky stars that I wasn’t him.

Instead, I wondered: How did he get this way?

Certainly, I figured, he’s had some bad breaks. Even more certainly, I was sure, he put himself where he stood, begging, with a sign that reads:

“War Vet. Homeless. Anything Helps.”

I didn’t ask his name. To give him a face, let’s call him Richard.

Richard, a young man with empty eyes, too young to be homeless, has left himself adrift with nothing to fall back on.

In the same way we are leaving ourselves adrift.

With our addictions to old habits.

The worst of which is an addiction to fossil fuels.

Heating up the planet.

Swelling the oceans.

Threatening coastlines.

Killing plants and animals.

Causing droughts and disease.

2020 was the hottest year recorded in human history.

Where are the headlines screaming: We Can’t Keep Doing This!

Where are the leaders imploring us to come up with solutions.

“We’re working on it,” they say.

“It’s a hoax,” some of them say. “What’s good for business is good for us.”

Idiocy. Short-sightedness. Laziness.

We are lagging too far behind.

At the rate we are going, we will soon be homeless.

Just like Richard.

Then, we will wonder:

How did we get this way?

The Destructive Effects of Climate Change