Prince Ea x Stand For Trees: Dear Future Generations: Sorry

Summary

The script is an impassioned apology to future generations for the environmental devastation caused by the current one. It highlights the loss of the Amazon rainforest, the rapid deforestation, and the negative impacts on air, water, and wildlife. The speaker criticizes the prioritization of profit over the planet and calls for a collective effort to correct past mistakes by recognizing humanity's integral role in nature. The message emphasizes the urgency of environmental action, stressing that social issues will become irrelevant if ecological collapse occurs, advocating for a global shift in mindset and action.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Apology to Future Generations: The speaker expresses regret for leaving future generations with an environmental crisis.
• 🌳 Loss of the Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon, once a rainforest, is now likened to a desert due to deforestation.
• 🍃 Importance of Trees: Trees are highlighted as essential for air, water purification, medicine, and food, yet they are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
• 🔥 Deforestation Rates: It's mentioned that trees are being destroyed at a rate equivalent to 40 football fields per minute, leading to the loss of 50% of the world's trees in the last century.
• 🌿 Indigenous Wisdom: The speaker reflects on the Native Americans' respect for the environment and their consideration for future generations.
• 💰 Profit Over People: The script criticizes the prioritization of profit and greed over the needs of the people and the environment.
• 🐠 Extinction of Species: The destruction of nature is leading to the extinction of animals, depriving future generations of their beauty and companionship.
• 🌊 Ocean Pollution: The oceans are being poisoned to the point where they are no longer safe for swimming.
• 🌡️ Climate Change Denial: The speaker challenges those who deny climate change, urging them to consider the real-world impacts on people's lives.
• 🏠 Displacement Due to Climate Change: Rising sea levels have displaced people, as exemplified by the homeless in Bangladesh.
• 🌡️ Air Pollution: The script mentions children in Beijing wearing masks to protect against pollution, illustrating the severity of air quality issues.
• 🌱 The Power of Individual Action: The speaker suggests that individuals have the power to make a difference by standing for trees and reducing their environmental impact.
• 🌳 Standing for Trees: The script encourages taking action to protect trees, which can help balance personal carbon footprints and support forest communities.
• 🌿 Environmental Activism: The speaker's time in Africa witnessing rainforest destruction inspired the message, emphasizing the urgency of environmental activism.
• 💬 The Importance of Unity: The final takeaway stresses that all social issues are secondary to the need for collective action on environmental preservation.

Q & A

What is the main message of the script addressed to future generations?

The main message is an apology for the environmental damage and inaction of the current generation, highlighting the consequences of prioritizing profit and greed over the environment.

What is the script's reference to the Amazon rainforest becoming an 'Amazon desert'?

It signifies the extensive deforestation that has occurred, turning a once lush and diverse rainforest into a barren landscape.

Why are trees described as 'amazing' in the script?

Trees are called amazing because they produce oxygen, clean pollution, store carbon, purify water, provide medicine, and food, which are all essential for human survival.

What is the rate of deforestation mentioned in the script?

The script states that trees are being cut down at a rate of 40 football fields every minute, which equates to 50% of all the trees in the world being lost in the last 100 years.

What does the script imply about the mindset of the current generation towards the environment?

The script implies that the current generation has a flawed mindset, treating nature as a limitless resource and referring to environmental destruction as 'progress'.

What is the 'Golden Rule' mentioned in the script, and how has it been violated?

The 'Golden Rule' typically refers to the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. It has been violated by prioritizing the rule of gold (greed and profit) over ethical and sustainable behavior.

How does the script connect the destruction of nature to broader social issues?

The script connects environmental destruction to social issues by stating that without a healthy environment, other fights for equality and rights will become irrelevant, as everyone will face extinction.

What is the script's suggestion for addressing the environmental crisis?

The script suggests looking at the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms, and emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the current generation to take action and change their mindset.

What is the role of the audience according to the script's call to action?

The audience is encouraged to stand for trees, to become part of the solution by balancing their everyday pollution output and supporting forest communities.

How does the script use the metaphor of a farmer to convey its message?

The script uses the metaphor of a farmer diagnosing an unhealthy tree by looking at its roots to suggest that we should address the fundamental issues causing environmental destruction rather than just the symptoms.

What is the final message of the script regarding the potential for change?

The final message is one of hope and empowerment, stating that it is not too late to correct the mistakes and that the current generation has the power to make a difference.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Apology to Future Generations for Environmental Negligence

This paragraph is an emotional apology to future generations for the environmental damage caused by the current one. It acknowledges the shortsightedness of past actions, such as deforestation, particularly the loss of the Amazon rainforest, and the impact on the planet's ability to sustain life. The speaker expresses regret for prioritizing profit over the environment, leading to pollution, extinction of species, and climate change. They also criticize the mindset that equates destruction with progress and challenge the denial of climate change by certain media and political figures. The paragraph ends with a call to action, urging the current generation to take responsibility for the planet's well-being, recognizing that all social issues are secondary to the survival of the environment.

05:01

🌳 Standing for Trees: A Call to Action Against Deforestation

In the second paragraph, the speaker shifts focus to the issue of deforestation, particularly in Africa, and the economic incentives that drive it. They propose that ordinary people can combat this by 'standing for trees,' which metaphorically means supporting efforts to protect forests. This action not only helps save trees and their ecosystems but also offsets personal contributions to pollution. The speaker emphasizes the importance of this approach by referencing a wise saying about the ultimate worthlessness of money without a sustainable environment. The paragraph concludes with a musical interlude, presumably to underscore the gravity of the message and the urgency of the situation.

Keywords

💡Deforestation

Deforestation refers to the large-scale removal of trees that make up forests, often for agricultural or development purposes. In the context of the video, deforestation is a critical issue as it leads to the loss of biodiversity, contributes to climate change, and destroys habitats. The script mentions the Amazon rainforest being turned into a desert, highlighting the devastating impact of deforestation on our planet.

💡Carbon

Carbon is an element that is a major component of the Earth's atmosphere and is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change. The video emphasizes the importance of trees in cleaning up carbon pollution and the consequences of their destruction on the environment.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the variety within species, between species, and of ecosystems. The script discusses the loss of biodiversity due to deforestation, where the destruction of habitats like the Amazon rainforest leads to the extinction of species and a reduction in genetic diversity.

💡Pollution

Pollution refers to the presence in or introduction into the environment of substances or things that cause harm or discomfort. The video script talks about pollution as a result of human activities, such as the burning of trees and industrial processes, which contribute to air and water pollution, affecting both the environment and human health.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is a long-term alteration in the Earth's climate, primarily due to human activities that increase levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The script mentions climate change as a consequence of deforestation and pollution, with rising sea levels and melting ice caps being examples of its effects.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is the concept of using resources in a way that preserves the environment for future generations. The video calls for a shift in mindset towards sustainability, criticizing the current approach that prioritizes short-term profit over long-term environmental health.

💡Greed

Greed is an excessive or reckless pursuit of one's own interests, often at the expense of others. In the script, greed is identified as a driving force behind environmental destruction, where profit is prioritized over the well-being of people and the planet.

💡Extinction

Extinction is the state of a species being completely wiped out. The video script discusses the extinction of animals as a result of human activities, such as deforestation and pollution, which are leading to the loss of unique species that can never be seen again.

💡Progress

Progress typically refers to positive or forward movement towards a refined, improved, or superior state. However, the video script uses the term 'progress' ironically to describe the destructive actions taken in the name of development, which are harming the environment rather than improving it.

💡Nature

Nature refers to the natural world or the physical universe, including all living beings and ecosystems. The script emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans with nature, stating that we are a part of it and that harming nature is ultimately harmful to ourselves.

💡Environmental Activism

Environmental activism involves the actions of individuals or groups to advocate for the protection of the natural environment. The video encourages viewers to become activists by 'standing for trees,' suggesting that individual actions can contribute to the larger effort to combat deforestation and protect the environment.

Highlights

Apology to future generations for leaving them with environmental problems

Acknowledgment of past inaction and listening to those who made excuses to do nothing

Comparison of Earth to a marriage gone wrong, not realizing its value until it was lost

Misnaming the Amazon as a desert instead of its original rainforest state

Praise for the amazing qualities and benefits of trees

Shocking statistic of 40 football fields of trees lost every minute

Reflection on Native Americans' consideration for the planet and future generations

Lament on modern society's short-sightedness and lack of care for the environment

Criticizing prioritization of profit, greed, and the rule of gold over the Golden Rule

Describing the overuse of nature as a credit card with no limits, leading to extinction

Apology for poisoning the oceans to the point of being uninhabitable

Calling out climate change deniers and urging them to face the reality of its effects

Expression of sorrow for the mindset that equates environmental destruction with progress

Inspiration to take action by looking at the root causes rather than symptoms

Emphasis on the responsibility of the current generation to care for the planet

Realization that we are part of nature, not separate from it

Urging collective action to save the environment for the sake of all causes and equality

Personal experience in Africa witnessing the destruction of the rainforest

Suggestion to stand for trees as a way to combat deforestation and pollution

Wise words on the ultimate realization of the value of nature when it's gone

Transcripts

dear future

Generations I think I speak for the rest

of us when I say

sorry sorry we left you with our mess of

a planet sorry that we were too caught

up in our own doings to do

something sorry we listen to people who

made excuses to do nothing I hope you

forgive us we just didn't realize how

special the Earth was like a marriage

gone wrong we didn't know what we had

until it was

gone for example I'm guessing you

probably know it as the Amazon desert

right well believe it or not it was once

called the Amazon rainforest and there

were billions of trees there all of them

gorgeous and oh you don't know much

about trees do you well let me tell you

trees are amazing I mean we literally

breathe the air they are creating they

clean up our pollution our carbon they

store and purify water give us medicine

that cures our diseases food that feeds

us which is why I am so

sorry to tell you that we burn them down

cut them down with brutal machines

horrific at a rate of 40 football fields

every minute that's 50% of all the trees

in the world gone in the last 100 years

years

why for

this and that wouldn't make me so sad if

it weren't so many pictures of leaves on

it you know when I was a child I read

how the Native Americans had such

consideration for the planet that they

felt responsible for how they left the

land for the next seven

generations which brings me great sorrow

because most of us today don't even even

care about

tomorrow so I'm sorry I'm I'm sorry that

we put profit above people greed above

need the rule of gold above the Golden

Rule I'm sorry we use nature as a credit

card with no spending limit overdrafting

animals to Extinction stealing your

chance to ever see their uniqueness or

become friends with them sorry we poison

the ocean so much that you can't even

swim in them but most of all I'm sorry

about our mindset cuz we had the nerve

to call this

destruction

progress hey Fox News if you don't think

climate change is a threat I dare you to

interview the thousands of homeless

people in Bangladesh see while while you

were in your Penthouse nestled their

homes were literally washed away beneath

their feet due to rising sea

levels and Sarah Palin you said that you

love the smell of fossil fuels well I

urge you to talk to the kids of Beijing

who are forced to wear pollution masks

just to go to

school see you can ignore this but the

thing about truth is it can be denied

not avoided so I'm sorry future

Generations I'm sorry that our footprint

became a sinkhole and not a garden I'm

sorry that we paid so much attention to

Isis and very little to how fast the ice

is melting in the

Arctic I'm sorry we doomed you and I'm

sorry we couldn't find another planet in

time to move to I am you know what cut

the beat I'm not

sorry this future I do not accept it

because an error does not become a

mistake until you refuse to correct it

we can redirect this how let me suggest

that if a farmer sees a tree that is

unhealthy they don't look at the

branches to diagnose it they look at the

root so like that farmer we must look at

the root and not to the branches of

government not to the politicians run by

corporations we are the root we are the

foundation this generation it is up to

us to take care of this planet it is our

only home we must globally warm our

hearts and change the climate of our

souls and realize that we are not a part

from nature we are a part of Nature and

to betray nature is to betray us to save

nature is to save us because whatever

you're fighting for racism or poverty

feminism gay rights or any type of

equality it won't matter in the least

because if we don't all work together to

save the environment we will be equally

extinct

[Music]

[Music]

Sor hey guys for the past several weeks

I've been here in Africa the heart of

Africa witnessing the horrific

destruction of the rainforest which

inspired me to write is

peace why a forest being destroyed at

such an enormous rate for this today we

live in a world where destroying trees

makes you money so what can we normal

people do about it one way to directly

fight the destruction is to stand for

trees by standing for trees not only can

you save the lives of trees help Forest

communities and protect the rights of

animals to live in their homes but you

will also balance the amount of

pollution that you yourself give off

with your everyday activities making you

a part of the solution and not the

problem this is the option that I chose

but whatever way that you choose to

stand for trees do it because A wise man

once said when the rivers are all dried

up and the trees cut down man will then

realize that he will not be able to eat

[Music]

money