As we near Earth Day, I realize I have made it my charge to present a "state of the world" report, at least as it relates to Sonoma Valley. I also feel that something should be said beyond the usual somber statistics.

The latest reports say that we have survived another year with our culture more or less intact, but that the odds are looking less favorable for humans each year as we continue on a wild ride of activity that causes massive destruction. If the new data is accurate, the free ride is already beginning to come to a stop. Things on our planet are looking increasingly grim for us and for nature in general.

What can I say to this? I wish I had the answer for how to save our kind. I think no one does, but I also think that together we might have the tools to figure it out.

I suppose I have to confess that I am as confused by the trials of being human as anyone. I feel depressed at sour relationships and get angry when people are thoughtless or mean. I worry about bills and schedules and I often get distracted rather than face something difficult. I forget to take care of myself. I let others down. Beside all the human drama, I barely remember that I have devoted much of my adult life to caring for nature. I usually remember though, when I step outside.

I wonder if it is this hard for me, how can it be easy for somebody else whose life is even more bound up in our complicated world. How can I expect others to do what is so difficult for me to do, when I have the advantage of being reminded daily of what is at stake?

Again, I wish I had a simple answer. It makes me all the more aware that I am lucky to live in this community, where so many people rise above the struggles of life, and take time to act to make our community a better place. It is amazing that we are able to get along as well as we do, to find extra energy to care about things outside of ourselves, to "go the distance" when it is so easy to lie down.

As I see this courage, I realize as much as ever that we have the opportunity here in Sonoma Valley to make a community that can inspire the world. I suppose it already does. I think we can also make it a place that leads others to take care of the nature. I firmly believe that this is what the world needs. It needs a model of how every home or business or ranch or city can rise above the painful chaos of life, and take care of itself and maybe just a little more. It needs a model of how people can get along with each other, enough to agree on how to take care of things, including the natural world that supports us.

Can we do this? This question belongs to everyone who lives and works here. Opportunities exist to take these extra steps, almost every day. I hope for us that we are able to continue our effort and that we choose to take those extra steps enough to inspire many others to do the same.

Humans are amazing beings. We may yet surprise ourselves and turn this destructive and creative era in our history into something remarkable. It will be interesting to see how our community contributes.

Happy Earth Day.