There are over 7.5 billion people living on earth and earth’s population is growing about a percentage point each year. Astronomers and scientists are making great strides in space travel and are beginning to project a time in the coming years when human beings will be able to live off the earth. I applaud us for our scientific and technological advances which allow us to explore space, look for life throughout the universe, send probes to the sun, and put satellites in the atmosphere which have remarkably changed the way we live on earth. My greatest concern for our planet is that I believe we have, and continue to, devalue our most valuable natural resource. We have found carbon and other elements on the moon and evidence indicates that many elements found on earth can be found throughout our solar system. However, we have searched and signaled throughout the universe and have not found another natural resource and lifeform to compare to the human being. Yet, we value metals like, platinum, silver, gold, and diamonds higher than that of human life. When human beings are devalued to the point that animals, rocks, wood, and metals become more important than the well-being of every human life, then it is easy to understand how human hearts turn to stone and people begin to act like animals.
I would like to challenge you to look at every one of the 7.5 billion people living on earth as part of a valuable resource that, when given their right value will make all human life more precious than the most precious stones on earth. With this discipline, I believe we will discover that we no longer need to fight over diamonds, gold, or any other precious stones, because we will know that we are the most precious gems on earth. This discipline of re-valuation will allow us to appreciate earth and our most valuable resource, the human family, with all our variations of color, hair texture, cultures, languages, smiles, and splendor.