Humans are very recent members of the Earth community. Most scholars agree that human beings emerged in Africa then slowly spread throughout the world. Living in clans and in small tribal groups, they adapted well to the bounty and to the severity of their diverse climates and habitats. Touched by the grandeur and power of the natural world, humans became conscious of belonging to an awesome universe and celebrated their relationship to the universe in ritual and dance. An image of human figures dancing on the blue-green Earth honors the birth of human beings.

The Birth Of Humans

Then the Spirit said:
"Let the fire of nature's chorus,
Its raging storms and mighty forests,
Its pounding seas and soaring peaks,
Its blazing skies and teeming reefs,
Burn human hearts with its splendor
And forge their souls in awe and wonder."

The unfolding story of the universe brought into being a living planet. For thousands of years, human societies emerged and survived on that planet within the nurturing web of its beauty, bounty, and power. But now, humans are putting great stress on the Earth. Our wars, pollution, ecological abuse, wasteful consumption, unjust economics, and growing populations are seriously degrading the Earth's capacity to sustain life. Challenged by this critical situation, we are slowly realizing that our planet urgently needs our care. We are coming to see that the Earth is a community to be celebrated, not a resource to be plundered. An ecological age is dawning in which humans are beginning to live in harmony with the web of life. An image of a web holding the Earth celebrates the birth of the ecological age.

The Birth Of The Ecological Age

Then the Spirit said:
"Let life entwine the land and sea
In the web of its community.
Let its power move human hearts
To mend the world they've torn apart,
And sing with every leaf and stone
This is our Earth. This is our home."