Make that Change: Earth Day April 22, 2010

"I really feel that nature is trying so hard to compensate for man's mismanagement of the planet. The planet is sick - like a fever. If we dont fix it now it's at the point of no return. This is our last chance to fix this problem that we have or it's like a runaway train. And the time has come. This is IT. People are always saying, 'Oh they think- they'll take care of it. The government will ... they'll...' They who? It starts with us. It's US. Or else it'll never be done." - Michael Jackson 2009

Thursday April 22nd is Earth Day and it's time to make that change! This year let us join together to truly heal the world and make it a better place, not just for a day, but from this point forward. Let us commit to real action in our lives and communities. Let us not just acknowledge this day with words and sentiment, but with a real vow to change our course for the better; for our children, for the future. We're all ONE. It's in OUR hands. EarthDay.org has compiled a list of simple actions that we can take right now to make a difference, from taking shorter showers to turning off unnecessary lights. It's now or never.

Some additional Michael Jackson-inspired events or actions:

• * If you are in the New York City area two days after Earth Day, please join the wonderful folks of Heal the World for Children as they team up with MillionTreesNYC to plant trees on April 24th on Staten Island. Earth Day-related events were also held a week ago in L.A. and Mexico City and volunteers are also joining together in Romania and London. For more information, please see http://www.healtheworldforchildren.org/events.html

• * MJJC.com members have established a special MJ Memorial Fund with The Nature Conservancy. You can Plant a Tree in Michael's Honor! After donating online, immediately send an email to them with REFERENCE NO. 1207 5587 to be sure your donation goes to the MJ Fund! (Please don't forget.) You can also donate via phone or check. (For more info, see the mjjc.com thread)

• * Or why not work in your area to establish/dedicate a protected forest in Michael's honor. Two MJ fan clubs have already done this! What a beautiful and meaningful way to remember Michael. Thank you so much, you guys:
  
  -- Russian fans recently worked with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Altai Region Forestry Department in Russia to have one whole hectare of forest revived after fires had decimated the area. 3,000 to 5,000 trees (wow!) will be planted this month in the Altai forest with a sign declaring the loving dedication to Michael Jackson. (See this thread for more info.)
  
  -- MJTurkFan.com and TEMA (Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion) have establlished a memorial forest in Michael's honor as a tribute to his lifetime efforts to heal the world. (See this thread or their Facebook page for more info.)

"Planet Earth, are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid

Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart, soft and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes, caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.

Planet Earth, gentle and blue
With all my heart, I love you."
- excerpt from poem 'Planet Earth' by Michael Jackson




"I respect the secrets and magic of nature. That's why it makes me so angry when I see these things that are happening, you know, that every second I hear the size of a football field is torn down in the Amazon. That kind of stuff really bothers me... I love- I love the planet. I love trees- I have this thing for trees and the colors and changing of leaves...I LOVE it. I respect those kind of things."
- Michael Jackson (Earth Song segment in 'This Is It')









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