Join Hands with Open Mind & Open Heart* Sati Shankar www.globalsynergetic.org The issue of Climate and Nature is in fact not a new one. Not less than 5000 to 6000 years back, the Vedic period too had the caution and prayer for saving the planet. The Seers of Rig Veda speak on behalf of earth and pray for the divine intervention to bless and protect the environment. "Do not harm the environment; do not harm the water and the flora; earth is my mother, I am her son; … Tranquility be to the atmosphere, to the earth, to the waters, to the crops and vegetation." "Whatever I dig from thee, O Earth, may that have quick recovery again. O purifier, may we not injure thy vitals or thy heart". The Seers of Rig Veda speak on behalf of earth for its Principle of Replenishment, "You give me and I give you". But we forgot it in our over enthusiasm and have evidently lost much. There is not an easy solution now to work well for everyone, but there are solutions that do work. Open minds about the power of common efforts can give us another opportunity. Though we cannot sideline the politics and economics involved in international treaties, but there is something related directly to the existence of life on this planet, beyond politico-economic deals. Let us join hands with open hearts and minds work for its solution at the earliest. It is never too late.

2010/02/24, *Revised version of the copy submitted to U.N. Global Compact: Climate 2009