An Environmental Plea

Whenever I turn on the news, I hear something different. 

Half the newscasters say, the planet is dying!
The other half dredges up all their mudslinging tactics
All their powers of misdirection and lying
And manages, through taunts and scathing wisecracks,

To tell everyone sitting there glued to the screen
That those other speakers are out of their minds.
The planet is still very cold and still green.
There is no solution that we need to find.

Chemicals are good, lead exposure is safe,
Product regulations are not something we need.
If your skin itches and all your clothes chafe,
Don’t worry! DDT will fix that for you at a high speed.

Most people think that these people are the problem.
That these are the ones paid by those men
Who use speakers with brains small and faces solemn
To confuse the public as much as they can.

But this is a lie.
Denial doesn’t last forever.
Rich men know exactly who to buy
To ensure the time they have to worry is never.

Most don’t know the voice that spreads the real danger,
For rich men in power are very intelligent indeed.
They know how to escape the pointing finger
That will bankrupt them and destroy all they’ve achieved.

The rich men in power make sure that in the end,
The loudest voice, the one that overpowers them all,
Is the one that blames common people (and their friends).
That blames everything they do, big and small.

They turn their fingers toward the people
And say, I know exactly who to blame. YOU.
I don’t care that you’re poor. That you’re feeble.
Why can’t you find something helpful to do?

Why don’t you keep your children away from the paint?
Why don’t you use a filter for water from the tap?
When we say to check your lead levels, why do you wait?
What am I supposed to do with these complaints that fell into my lap?

To work, why aren’t you riding the El?
Why are you using plastic drinking bottles?
Why aren’t you doing something to help?
Don’t you see that you’re all just awful?

Meanwhile, those in power do whatever they like.
They dump tons of garbage and oil into the sea,
Watch the oceans rise from the melting of ice,
And kick off their shoes, as everyone lets them be.

They burn toxic fuels, put smoke right into the air
They give fake apologies to those dying of natural disasters
And turn a deaf ear when people say, “That’s not fair!”
They say, “People! Increased floods and droughts are NOT the fault of your masters.

They’re your fault! Don’t you see?
You bought gasoline and electrics by the dozen
You, with your litter, YOU poisoned the sea,
And now you think it’s OUR fault that the planet’s an oven?”

Who knew that all of us
Would so readily accept
That WE are the cause
Of this planet’s gruesome death?

That WE are to blame for all the suffering
That WE are to blame for hazards and sickness
That are pumped out by factories corporations are running.
How could they have done this without seeming suspicious?

It is our job to stand up for what’s right
To raise awareness of the problems plaguing us
To fight for our people and our planet’s plight
To make sure politicians know we’ll make more than a fuss.

Remember my request
The next time you turn on the news.
Don’t be like the rest.
Don’t be a fool.