The 3rd Rock from the Sun is a Fragile Oasis
May 6, 2011
The focus of Fragile Oasis is not on the problems of the world, but on how the problems of the world are being solved by amazing people.
Fragile Oasis is dedicated to improving life on our planet, and highlighting those people and organizations making a difference.
It is very difficult to look at our beautiful Earth from space without being moved in some way.
My own experience is described on the Vision page:
“It was a very moving experience to see the absolute beauty of the planet we have been given. But as I looked down at this indescribably beautiful, fragile oasis -- this island that has been given to us, and has protected all life from the harshness of space -- I couldn’t help but think of the inequity that exists. I couldn’t help but think of the people who don’t have clean water to drink, enough food to eat, social injustice, conflicts, and poverty. It was an amazingly stark contrast between the beauty of our planet and the unfortunate realities of life for many of its inhabitants.”
You may wonder why a “Space” website would be highlighting solutions to some of the problems facing the world. For me personally, it’s because those who fly in space have been given the unique perspective of living and working off the planet while still being close enough to our planet to see its beauty, vulnerability and to appreciate what an incredible gift it is. Just as this unique perspective continues to inspire those who experience it, the goal of Fragile Oasis is to share that unique orbital perspective, and hopefully to share the inspiration to protect our Fragile Oasis and its inhabitants.
Fortunately, we live in a world where many problems faced by previous generations have been solved. Yet, vast numbers of people still do not benefit from those solutions.
Children are the most vulnerable people on our planet. Adults have a responsibility to them not only because they rely on us, but because they are our future. Let’s take a moment to look at some sobering facts about the children of our world:
- Despite the fact that diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are preventable and curable, The World Health Organization estimates that in 2006 there were over 1 million deaths as a result of malaria. In 2005, 1.6 million people died from tuberculosis worldwide. In both cases, most of these were children.
- Despite our capacity to provide clean water to every person on this planet, 29,000 children die every day from problems associated with drinking contaminated water
- Despite resources to feed every person on this planet, 16,000 children die daily from hunger-related causes
- 22 million infants are not protected from disease by routine immunizations
- 2 million children under the age of 15 are living with HIV
These are not just numbers on a chart. These are children. These facts represent just a fraction of the immense problems facing our planet. When faced with such insurmountable challenges, one can become overwhelmed and frustrated and be left feeling that the problems are too big for them to really make an impact. They ask themselves, What could I possibly do? Is it worth my effort to even try?
Even those people who have made a commitment to improve the world eventually face periods of frustration. However, it is precisely those people who commit to making a positive change, and it is precisely at those moments when they feel discouraged, or when they don’t think they’ll be successful -- people who persevere through those obstacles and step outside of their comfort zone are the ones who achieve success in reaching their goals and dreams, and who affect real change in the world. I for one, do not want to look back in the twilight of my life and ask “What would have happened if I really gave it a try, if I really put everything I had into trying to make life better on our planet?”
The first step to affect change is to believe that real change is possible. Here are some things that I believe are true:
Peaceful sleep in Rwanda
We are challenged to make the part of the world we come in contact with a little better;
simply because it came in contact with us. The goal of Fragile Oasis is to encourage people to look for opportunities to better their communities and the world, and to inspire people to go out and make a difference.
Above all, our vision is to encourage everyone, in all that they do, to look for opportunities to make life better for those with whom they share this Fragile Oasis.
Please stay tuned as this part of the website takes shape. As always we are open to your suggestions.
Originally posted 18 August 2010
Other posts by this author
- To Be Continued ...
- One Young World Summit - The Key Is We
- Moonshot
- Why Should We Spend Money on Space Exploration When We Have So Many Problems Here on Earth?
- Guardians of Earth
- Do 1 Thing Day - July 20, 2012
- The Orbital Perspective of Nicholas Kristof
- An Invitation to Participate in the International Space Apps Challenge
- LAUNCHing Ideas for a Waste-less Tomorrow
- We Get to Carry Each Other
April 30, 2011
beth b.
Thanks Ron for caring about the people of this planet. Your passion inspires Earth-bound folks like me to want to make our world a better place. It's a pleasure to have you represent us on our Off-Planet United Nations -- better known as the International Space Station. :)
May 6, 2011
Jenny R.
This is such an inspiration. Thanks, Ron!
May 7, 2011
donna C.
Enspired and encouraged!
May 7, 2011
donna C.
oops-- Inspired and encouraged :)
May 12, 2011
Jon V.
Incredible post, thanks Ron -- I look forward to more incredible posts. Thanks for the site.
May 12, 2011
Elizabeth W.
Ron, I met Leland Melvin at the Next Gen conference in FL and he told me about Fragile Oasis. I had asked suborbital space vehicle CEO's if they felt they had a social responsibility to get as many diverse people from different nations into space to experience the overview effect. This has the potential of being the greatest SOCIAL experiment of all time. What if not only scientists but also communicators like writers, poets, artists, musicians, dancers, animators and filmmakers had the opportunity to go to space? What if those with Xtreme occupations like logging, commercial fishing, steelworkers, waste management providers, farmers, etc, saw Earth from space? What if we followed the 'common man's journey through social networking and fundraising so the Whole World had a voice on who when to space on a suborbital flight? What if the story of their journeys inspired the world, from the time they declared I WANT TO BE AN ASTRONAUT to their launch, landing and continued journey to heal the Earth and its people. When they took off, when they returned, WE, the Whole Earth, could say that's MY Astronaut. I voted for him/her. There would be a new sense of ownership of the journey. check out www.MY-Astronaut.org. What do you think?
June 5, 2011
Linda L.
Thanks Astro Ron, this is an inspiration to those of us that are often told that `we` can never make a difference. Love Our Planet, it amazingly provides us with all that we need to survive. Of course the Sun is also
crucial to the Earth to sustain life :)