Opening Speech at Aichi Expo, Japan

Aichi Expo 2005, Japan
March 24, 2005
Wangari Maathai in the Republic of Congo, February 2005. Photo: Marcus Agar.

Wangari Maathai in the Republic of Congo, February 2005. Photo: Marcus Agar.

Humanity is part of Nature, one of the many species that inhabit the planet. Our physical bodies come from Nature and at the end of life, they return and continue the never-ending flow of life.

Every morning we rise with the sun, supported by the ground upon which we stand, and bloom with the flowers, watch the bees and butterflies as they pollinate and plants give us fruits and seeds.

As we bask in the sun, the leaves are taking energy and trapping it for us in grains, root crops, trees and wood. Trees give us shade, clean air, hold the soil in place, and are homes to birds and small animals like rodents, chameleons and insects.

We should keenly look at Nature, observe it, learn from it, love it, protect it and conserve it. Nature is around us, inside us, before us, beside us, beneath us, with us.

Prophets escaped to see it, smell it, touch it, observe it, and learn from its Wisdom. It is like an eternal book of life, revealing its wisdom to those who have ears and eyes for it.

Join us in celebrating Nature’s Wisdom.