I’ve got gardens growing, got quiet days
clothes on my back, food on my plate
got friends to help me if I call for them
don’t need anything I don’t have

got eyes to see this beautiful land
feet to take me where I want to stand
if there’s work to be done, I’ve got these two strong hands
I don’t need anything I don’t have
I don’t need anything I don’t have

some years the rains don’t come
some years floods clear out the plains
but if those waters wash this town away
I would still have enough if she was with me

I’ve got a roof overhead, stars if I choose
but I’ve no need to fly, I’ve got no itch to move
got almost nothing, but I understand
that I don’t need anything that I don’t have
I don’t need anything that I don’t have

–Glen Phillips

I heard this tune on the way into my office this morning. It seemed to speak to me about concerns I have had of late — some musical serendipity. Thanks, Glen.

The US makes up 5% of the world’s population, but we consume 25% of the world’s natural resources. Our prosperity creates a disparity in the rest of the world. We need to stop buying so much junk. When we do purchase something, we should think about where it comes from and where it will go when we’re finished with it. Do we really need it? We need to reduce consumption to improve the planet’s ecology.

We can no longer afford to remain blind to the consequences of our consumer culture. Our planet will survive; it’s we who will perish.