Climate Change In Wendell Berry's The Peace Of Wild Things

The world is changing. The environment is yelling at us, but is society ready to listen? Climate scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, environmentalists, and politicians all have an opinion on the state of the world’s climate. There is an argument from each side, agreeing or disagreeing with the claims of scientists who are trying to show the world what is happening. The fact is that humans are changing the climate, and it is not for the better. Glaciers are melting, the polar caps are shrinking and the ocean is becoming acidic. According to a report in Ocean News and Technology “Researchers have found that increasing ocean temperatures due to climate change will soon see reefs shrinking” (Ocean News and Technology). The Great Barrier Reef off the

Trees do not have worry for the future and cannot feel the stress that tomorrow may bring. The squirrel does not fret about the winter, he does his job preparing and keeps busy. Wendell Barry says in The Peace of Wild Things “I come into the peace of wild things/ who do not tax their lives with forethought/ of grief. I come into the presence of still water” (Berry). People, especially in American culture, forget to enjoy life and not have worry and doubt on their minds. Another great writer to visit this topic is Rachel Carson. She is considered to be the starting factor of environmentalism. She wrote “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter” (Carson). Her most renowned book Silent Spring opened millions of eyes to effects of the fossil fuels and pesticide contaminations. She has the same reverence for the natural world and message about the effects of industry that need to