Actor and conservationist Harrison Ford is making a heartfelt plea for the preservation of the Earth’s biodiversity. In his powerful message, co-written with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr, Ford urges humanity to “make time to Listen to the Quiet.” This message emphasizes the vital, often-overlooked elements of nature that sustain life on Earth. Ford’s call is more than a reflection on nature’s beauty—it’s an urgent plea to protect it.
The Importance of Listening to Nature’s Quiet Voice
Ford’s message is on the idea of “Quiet,” the subtle but vital components of life that are all too often overlooked. From the smallest bacteria to ants and caterpillars, these creatures are absolutely vital in preserving the balance of ecosystems. “My modest ask for the next year is that we schedule time to hear the silence,” Ford says. Natural world is kept together by these silent sounds. Ford reminds us that “the krill and the caterpillars, the beetles, and the bacteria” are crucial to preserving the fragile equilibrium of life on Earth.
Harrison Ford has shared a close friendship with E.O. Wilson—the legendary naturalist, biologist, and entomologist—since the early 1990s. Over nearly three decades, the two collaborated passionately to promote global biodiversity conservation. Ford continues to be a dedicated supporter of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. In a unique tribute to Ford’s commitment to conservation, Wilson named a newly discovered ant species Pheidole harrisonfordi after him in 2002. Their partnership flourished again in 2010 with the creation of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, celebrating excellence in science writing.
Ecosystems: The Beautiful Tapestry of Life
Ford compares ecosystems to complex “tapestries” spun from millions of linked species, each one helping to maintain life. Though usually invisible, he says these systems are absolutely necessary for human existence. Ford notes, “The systems that sustain life on Earth… are mind-bogglingly ancient, densely interlocking, and only partially understood.” The loss of biodiversity directly jeopardizes the equilibrium of these ecosystems, endangering the future of all species, including ours.
The Silent Threat: Disrupting the Balance of Nature
Ford worries that we are shutting down nature’s important voices by continuing to mess with these fragile systems. “Every day we hear less of them while everything else gets louder,” he says. We could lose the environments that give us clean air, food, and water if we don’t pay attention to the quiet. Ford says, “We tear down our own support systems.” This kind of messing around could have terrible effects on the world and on people.
A Plea for Future Generations: Protecting Nature for Tomorrow
At the heart of Ford’s message is a deep worry about the world we are leaving for coming generations. He asks us to think about the world that our kids and grandkids will live in. “Which young person do you love the most?” “Can you picture them?” Ford asks. “Don’t you want them to be able to go into a field at night and hear just about anything by the time they’re your age?” Ford’s vision is of a world where children can still hear the peaceful, calming sounds of nature. He calls on us to protect this future.
The Urgency of Action: Why We Must Act Now
Ford emphasizes how urgent the situation is and how little time we have to take action. “Our lives are but a finger snap in the 3.5-billion-year history of life on our planet,” Ford reflects. He reminds us that in order to protect the planet’s ecosystems for coming generations, we need to take action right away. He exhorts, “The most important thing we can do is to make sure the rope isn’t too frayed for the next generation.”
Restoring the Quiet: A Call to Reimagine How We Care for the Earth
Ford’s message is a call for group action as much as it is a call to appreciate nature. He encourages us to “join me in taking action to reimagine how we care for our planet and listening to the voices of biodiversity.” Protecting and restoring the balance of ecosystems is our duty, and how we respond to the quiet voices of nature will determine the planet’s future.
A Future at Stake: The Role of Every Individual in Protecting the Planet
Ford’s call is a warning as much as a challenge with promise. Although ecosystems are under danger, group efforts will help to get everything back in line.
Ford notes, “The quiet voices are the most important.” We own the future of the earth; so, by listening, comprehending, and acting, we can make sure that the beauty of the natural world endures for future generations.
