Book Review :: The Sacred Balance, by David Suzuki
Review by Meghan Mast
“We are the air, we are the water, we are the earth, we are the Sun.” David Suzuki uses this simple idea to frame a thoughtful and beautifully written book. The Sacred Balance is a gentle pleading with humanity to re-acknowledge our place in nature. Our existence is undeniably reliant on nature; therefore the survival of the environment is directly linked to our own survival.
Something as simple as the air we breathe owes tribute to trees and plants that provide oxygen. Without air, humanity would perish. Yet we continue to rip down trees. Before the European settlers came to what is now the United States, North America was covered by approximately 3.2 million km squared of forest. Today, only 22,000 km squared remains. By clearing forests we are robbing future generations of air, and consequently of life.
Just as we need air, we need water. Anyone who has experienced thirst on a hot day can appreciate the importance of water; however water does more than satisfy thirst. An average person is comprised of approximately 60% water, and requires a constant renewal of water to sustain the process of carrying of food and fuel to different organs. When the body becomes overheated, water acts as a cooling agent dispersing and then excreting itself through the skin. We need fresh water in order to replace lost water molecules. By polluting lakes, rivers and streams we are polluting our drinking water. Gross.
Ironically, while we are polluting fresh water sources, we are doing our darndest to avoid dirt. In an effort to separate ourselves, we cover the “unsightly” substance with pavement roads and wipe it away with anti-bacterial chemicals. By doing this, we forget that we owe our existence to earth. As much as we may try to forget it, the food that fuels our bodies is grown in dirt. Without dirt, we would starve.
Equally important to air, water and earth is fire. We need heat to survive. While some animals are equipped with biological engineering to keep the internal fires burning, human beings are reliant on an external source of heat—the sun. Not only does the sun give us heat, but the sun also provided us with oxygen and the ozone layer which protects from ultra-violet rays that damage DNA. Our addiction to fossil fuels is wearing away the ozone layer, and continuing these unsustainable habits will lead to our own demise.
Suzuki reveals some heavy realities in his book, but he also leaves the reader with hope. He provides tangible suggestions for incorporating an eco-consciousness into our lifestyle and worldview. We need to take action, and these suggestions are a good start. Inspiring action, Suzuki leaves the reader with several examples of individuals who have successfully found alternative, sustainable practices. After all, in the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that has.”
