It's easy for people in an air-conditioned room to continue with the policies of destruction of Mother Earth. We need instead to put ourselves in the shoes of families in Bolivia and worldwide that lack water and food and suffer misery and hunger.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the disconnect between those who are comfortable and the suffering of those affected by environmental destruction.
Evo Morales highlights the issue of environmental neglect by contrasting the comfortable living conditions of people in wealthy, air-conditioned spaces with the dire circumstances faced by families in impoverished regions like Bolivia. He calls for empathy and a recognition of our responsibility towards those suffering from the consequences of our policies, urging a shift in perspective to foster greater awareness and action against environmental degradation.
In practice
In a speech on climate awareness, use this quote to illustrate the disparity between privilege and suffering.
Bolivia's majority Indian population was always excluded, politically oppressed and culturally alienated. Our national wealth, our raw materials, was plundered. Indios were once treated like animals here. In the 1930s and 40s, they were sprayed with DDT to kill the vermin on their skin and in their hair whenever they came into the city.
The peoples of the Andes believe in the concept of 'living well' instead of wanting to 'live better' by consuming more, regardless of the cost to our neighbors and our environment.
Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance.
There was a deep silence, only scraped on its surfaces by the faint quiver of empty seed-plumes, and broken grass-blades trembling in small air-movements they could not feel. 'Not a bird!' said Sam mournfully. 'No, no birds,' said Gollum. 'Nice birds!' He licked his teeth. 'No birds here. There are snakeses, wormses, things in the pools. Lots of things, lots of nasty things. No birds,' he ended sadly. Sam looked at him with distaste.
The issue of environmental quality is one which transcends traditional political boundaries. It is a cause which can attract, and very sincerely, liberals, conservatives, radicals, reactionaries, freaks, and middle-class straights.
before the gate -- my walking stick's made a river of melting snow
Finally, by the sea, where God is everywhere, I gradually calmed.
Look abroad through Nature's range, Nature's mighty law is change.
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