“What?” he asked.
I told him that during the pandemic, as one of the founders of a humanitarian organization, I continued to serve and distribute food packages in the streets of America in more than hundreds of cities to hundreds of people in need. There were many times when we would have only 500 food packages, and more than 1,000 people would show up and would wait for hours so we could help them, but unfortunately, we were not able to help everyone.
At this time, he was busy investing billions of dollars in space projects rather than helping people and families that needed food. So, I told him, I used to think, “Why wouldn't you feed these needy families around the world in a pandemic instead?”
Mr. Bezos told me the energy potential in the world is limited, and the energy potential in space is endless. To protect our planet and sustain our future, we need to think about a new “manifest destiny” where energy resources will never be a problem. After listening to Mr. Bezos, I better understood the importance and the opportunities in space and their relevance for the betterment of the future of the planet. Then Mr. Bezos smiled and told me, “You do what you are doing. It is needed, and I have to do what I am doing, and it is also needed.”
Attending this Summit made me better realize that regardless of our difference in our views, vision, and future plans, no doubt such meetings are important and relevant for our world. It is not possible for our religious group, nation, ethnicity or race to address every issue alone. We learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that humanity is connected — if through nothing else — by breathing the same air. Therefore, the threat is not to one nation or one race alone; rather, the threat is to all of humanity.
This planet is our beloved home, a gift of almighty God to humanity. If we do not work together to protect this planet and address challenges such as global warming, environmental destruction, and endless usage of energy, then we are preparing for ending life on this planet.
If we as individuals, organizations, and communities feel responsible for saving this planet, we have to ask ourselves one question: Where will we go from here? If we consciously take responsibility — individually and collectively — to save our planet, we have to work together. We must collaborate. It is not too late for the damage control for what we have destroyed. It is not too late to preserve the beauty of the blue planet. It is not too late to leave a better world for our children.
I was glad to be invited to such an important Summit. It was an honor to share my views on how to make this world a better place to live.
Halil Demir
Executive Director