His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa (December 2007) : Throughout my life I have always felt that the outer natural elements and my own mind are close. I have a special connection with the four elements. I am not being superstitious and saying I can talk to the elements, but sometimes it feels that way.
Ever since the human race first appeared on this earth, we have used this earth heavily. It is said that ninety-nine percent of the resources and so on in this world come from the natural environment. We are using the earth until she is used up. The earth has given us immeasurable benefit, but what have we done for the earth in return? We always ask for something from the earth, but never give her anything back.
We never have loving or protective thoughts for the earth. Whenever trees or anything else emerge from the ground, we cut them down. If there is a bit of level earth, we fight over it. To this day we perpetuate a continuous cycle of war and conflict over it. In fact, we have not done much of anything for the earth.
Now the time has come when the earth is scowling at us; the time has come when the earth is giving up on us.The earth is about to treat us badly and give up on us. If she gives up on us, where can we live? There is talk of going to other planets that could support life, but only a few rich people could go. What would happen to all of us sentient beings who could not go?
What should we do now that the situation has become so critical? The sentient beings living on the earth and the elements of the natural world need to join their hands together-the earth must not give up on sentient beings, and sentient beings must not give up on the earth. Each needs to grasp the other's hand.
(thanks to K.M. for forwarding this excerpt)