The Earth has returned. She is living, breathing,
Realizing her breath was leaving. She
was needing us to remember her worth,
to recognize her worth all over again.

We used to be her friends. We used to help
her heal us. Help her, heal us. Help her heal us.
And then, she lost all trust and faith in us.

 She has returned mad, saddened. Mad, saddened.
However, she's empowered by this new commitment
We are signing on to. We are signing on to.

 She wants you, me, and the rest of the human beings
Who populate this planet to never take her for granted
again. To never take her for granted again.

 If she is dying, then who wins?
If she is dying, then who wins?
If Earth is dying, who really wins?

She is providing for species.

We live in a cycle that provides
for one another. That provides for
one another.

 You and I, we are Earth's sisters
and brothers. We must take care of one
another. We must take care of one another.

Her lungs are smothered with toxins,
radioactive chemicals, and plastic
She cannot digest. She has cancerous
garbage in her breasts. We have polluted
Earth to death.

Unless, we take a step forward and reverse
Our damaging effects, our damaging effects.
Our damaging effects.

Our next steps should be radical movements
that peacefully changes things. That peacefully
changes things with civility.

 We have the ability. We have the ability.

Earth is alive. We can't let her die.

I want my Earth back.
I want my Earth back.
I want my Earth back.

I want to take each of our solutions
Then spin them into 180 degree revolutions
We all have effective contributions
We need to turn our passion into action,
execution.

 Drum circles, live spoken word theater,
or even getting arrested. We are all a collective
that can't be defeated. That can't be defeated.
Immediate action is needed, is needed.

What about our children?

What about future generations?

 Who is going to save the lungs of the
eco system? Who is going to save
the lungs of the eco system?

Toxic water slaughters the frogs and
the fish. Imagine how much they wished
We didn't pollute their habitats. Clean
water, clean air, imagine that!

We need our Earth back, she returns.
We need our Earth back, it is her turn.

Christopher Sims is a spoken word poet, an environmental justice activist, and a member of the Board of Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM).

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Today’s practice is to get rooted in ADVANCE, the second pillar of Commit2Respond: advancing the human rights of affected communities. Today, share one or more ways you have already worked to advance human rights for people affected by our environmental crisis. It could be things you’ve done in the past or ways you are currently being of service. Share on Commit2Respond’s share forum, or share on social media using the hashtag #commit2respond.

Today’s resource for deepening this message is the inspiring work of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (BUF) and their partnership with the Lummi Nation and other First Nations peoples. Over the last ten years, BUF has developed relationships, educated themselves, and worked to be of service to the Lummi and further their rights as this coastal community has struggled to protect their sacred lands and the entire Salish Sea ecosystem from the fossil fuels industry. Learn more about BUF’s Native American Connections Ministry Team and their involvement in the Lummi Totem Pole Journey for justice.

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Commit2Respond's Climate Justice Month intends to take you through a transformative spiritual process leading to long-term commitments to climate justice. At the end of the month you will be asked to SHIFT to a low carbon future, ADVANCE human rights, and GROW the movement. Learn more and start thinking about how you will #commit2respond to climate change.