Apparently there is some controversy over the choice of Wangari Maathai for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, the chief complaint being that planting trees has nothing to do with peace.
I like this rebuttal:
"This is the first time environment sets the agenda for the Nobel peace prize, and we have added a new dimension to peace. We have expanded the peace concept to include environmental issues because we believe that a good quality of life on Earth is necessary to promote lasting peace in the world. Peace depends on our ability to secure our living environment," says committee chairman Ole Danbolt Mjoes.Maathai herself says simply: "Many of the wars in Africa are fought over natural resources. Ensuring they are not destroyed is a way of ensuring there is no conflict. In managing our resources . . . we plant the seeds of peace."
"Too old to plant trees for my own gratification I shall do it for posterity." -Thomas Jefferson
Planting trees is a sign of hope. What can be more hopeful than peace or more peaceful than hope.
Just found you blog. Thanks.
Cheers... John
Posted by: John Mather | Friday, 15 October 2004 at 05:42 AM