There are myriad challenges that affect our planet today: non-renewable resource extraction, acidification of our oceans, plastic, extinction of species, climate change, the final destruction of rainforests equaling 20 percent of our oxygen, water and land pollution, genetically-modified agriculture, and the pesticide, hormone and antibiotic-laden, factory-farmed food industry. Further challenges include socially irresponsible business and medical practices along with conventional capitalism and lack of government oversight of toxic chemicals along with global rights being taken away by corporate rule.

Our responsibility to each other as human beings is the foundation for a healthy world in all of the areas mentioned ad infinitum. I have noticed continued unrelenting political attacks even though we now have a precious opportunity to move forward. This internal anger affects everything. Do you see similarities with harmful political slander, verbal abuse and finger pointing versus two Pakistani boys both telling a reporter that he would kill his friend if he acted differently from his own political and religious views once he can join his chosen army?

If we do not honor differing religious or spiritual viewpoints then we all lose. We all have opinions, but do we need to beat each other senselessly over the head with them? How will we get out of the financial and environmental mire we have created if we do not learn to work together instead of acting like pre-school children having tantrums? If we are disturbed about something or someone, then what is our part? Do we wallow in the problem or become part of the solution in moving forward toward a healthier planet?

Many are tragically suffering, however, it appears that there is more political concern with a system that is broken rather than having a planet to continue living on in the next century. Old school economics lead us to believe that we will be taken care of us as long as we continue to work and support the ongoing growth of Walmart where needless things are more affordable. Our empire economy supports such corporations which only perpetuates problems. Many giant corporations profit from our losses and thus the cycle continues while we continue suffocating our earth with more plastic.

Everything points toward cooperative communities and a simpler lifestyle. Live simply so that others may simply live. In David Korten's book "The Great Turning From Empire to Earth Community" he states, "Empire is not the natural order of things. A life-centered, egalitarian, sustainable society based on democratic principles of partnership is possible. We have choices. Life can be hostile and competitive or life can be supportive and cooperative. Humans can be flawed and dangerous or we can have many possibilities. We can be ordered by a dominator hierarchy or we can have order through partnership. We can compete or die or we can cooperate and live. We can love power or we can love all life. We can defend self or we can defend the rights of all. We can be masculine dominant or we can become gender balanced.

"Destructive competition suppresses creative potential and promotes grossly inefficient use of resources. Empire feeds on its own illusions of power, order and security, while becoming a collective addiction of psychological dependence on domination, violence and material excess. It is evident that such behaviors are irrational, morally wrong and destructive of all life on earth.

"Earth Communities can give expression to the democratic drive for partnership to create, share and nurture. They can organize through consensual decision making, mutual accountability, and individual responsibility while cultivating trust, caring, competence and an equitable distribution of power and resources. This is more fulfilling, more efficient, and ultimately more human. Embracing Cooperative Community with an Earth First focus, allows for a massive reallocation of available human surplus away from maintaining hierarchies of domination to the work of improving the lives of all not just a few."

Our endless desire for convenience and materialism has created the fork in the road where we currently stand. If we stop, reflect honestly and act with integrity, we can heal, have inner peace and healthy perspectives toward a better tomorrow.

Saving the planet is the only clear issue and all human relations and challenges must encompass this. We cannot save our planet if we cannot first save ourselves. In any relationship there are compromises, but first there must be honor and respect. You cannot have one without the other and you cannot honor and respect another until you first honor and respect yourself.

Vesta Elliott owns Organic Hair Design. She can be reached at www.OrganicHairDesign.com.