While reports on the conflict in Korea dominate the news, I was just reading about this sea mammal, the "cow of the sea", that lives off the coast of Okinawa Island. Its existence is threatened by a proposed relocation of a US Air Forces base. Thinking about how vulnerable this creature is to destructive forces beyond its control, I can't help but feel the same sense of vulnerability for our own species as a whole.

We are so oblivious, so wrapped up in our immediate circumstances... Imagine if instead of fighting over territorial control, we set ourselves to the rather more important challenges of ensuring our long-term survival as a species, and understanding our place in the universe.

It is at least encouraging to read about China taking a diplomatic role in moderating the conflict over this disputed Korean territory. One wonders what can be done to bring the peoples and nations of the world together to tackle humanity's overarching challenges.