Dr. Suess’ The Lorax: Just What the Doctor Ordered

Yesterday I saw Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a delightful, entertaining movie with an environmental message: “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s just not.”

It tells the story of Ted, a 12-year old boy on a quest to find something his city doesn’t have—a tree, all so he can win the affections of the girl of his dreams.

Ted’s mission takes him to Once-ler, to hear a story about The Lorax, which eventually brings him face-to-face with O’Hare, the most greedy, ruthless man in town.

After seeing this movie, I was struck by its relevancy. Forty years after the book was written and we still struggle with the same issues regarding deforestation and the need to protect our natural resources.

If a person from another planet came to earth to visit us, what do you think he or she (or it) would say? Would this person marvel at the beauty of our natural forests and mountainous vistas, or would he or she gasp at our destructive behavior and insensitivity we have about our natural resources (and human life for that matter)?

According to National Geographic, “forests still cover about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but swaths the size of Panama are lost each and every year. The world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years at the current rate of deforestation.”

Other articles indicate that there are legitimate reasons for deforestation. I don’t have all the knowledge about all the pros and cons environmental issues and statistics, but I know that I can do more.

Even small changes like recycling and bringing my canvas bag to the grocery store can help. Just like Once-ler said in the movie, “it may seem small and insignificant, but it’s not about what it is; it’s about what it becomes.” The same can be said about our actions. No matter how seemingly insignificant, it matters. Everything we do matters.

Recycle, reuse, and reduce? Yeah, I can do more of that.

I can do it because I care—I care a whole awful lot.

I know I’m sappy and cheesy, probably to the point of irritation, but I believe in making the world a better place.

National Geographic article: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/