What it means to be an Earth Warrior

I Am an Earth Warrior

We live in an era of disconnection—a time when humanity has turned its back on the very forces that sustain us. We see the Earth as a resource to exploit, a backdrop for our desires, rather than the living, breathing home it truly is. But for me, this is not just a fact to accept; it’s a battle to fight.

I have been living in Puerto Rico for eight years, and during this time, I’ve dedicated myself to raising awareness about the waste and destruction we inflict on this paradise. I walk barefoot across the sands of Borikén, carrying signs that call out humanity’s neglect of our planet. My signs read messages like:
“You don’t respect the world because you don’t respect each other.”
“The garbage you throw on the ground does not speak, but it says a lot about you.”

I travel to five beaches in a single day, collecting the trash that others leave behind. Alone, under the scorching sun, while others enjoy their leisure, I dedicate myself to being a voice for those who cannot speak. The Earth speaks to us, as do the animals and the oceans—but we refuse to listen.

The beauty of this world goes unnoticed. The animals, the forests, and the rivers all share the heartbeat of life, yet we drown out that rhythm with the noise of our so-called “progress.” We’ve cut ourselves off from the roots that once connected us to the Earth, choosing instead the artificial comforts of “civilization.”

I am an Earth Warrior.

To be an Earth Warrior means to fight for Mother Earth with all your strength, to stand tall like the trees that surround us, and to remain steadfast even when the path is exhausting. Week after week, I ask myself how I keep going—how I find the energy, the will, and the determination to carry on. And every time, I am reminded: this is my purpose.

It is not easy. The journey is emotionally and physically draining. There are moments when I collapse onto the sand, feeling the weight of the world’s apathy pressing down on me. Yet I rise again, replenished by the sun’s warmth, by the whispers of the waves, and by the beauty of the Earth itself.

I have spilled blood, shed tears, and poured sweat into this mission. I have stood in the line of danger, defending the beaches I love from trash and destruction. One day, while standing up for a beach, I was shot. The bullet grazed my cheekbone, and in that moment, I was almost a martyr to my own cause. The Earth could have claimed me that day, but instead, it reminded me of what it means to be an Earth Warrior.

The garbage I pick up may seem small in the grand scheme, but these actions create dents. And I believe in those dents. We are the change-makers, the seeds of transformation.

The footprints we leave behind should be positive—not scars of destruction, but marks of love and respect for the Earth. That is what it means to be an Earth Warrior.

“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” ~Chief Seattle

The Earth is not just a rock beneath our feet; it is a living, breathing entity that sustains all life. Yet we bury it beneath the weight of our greed, ignorance, and ego. We have turned the Earth into our slave, our servant—forgetting that it is our mother.

But it’s not too late to awaken. To be an Earth Warrior is to reconnect with the web of life, to unplug from the artificial world and rediscover the truth that lies within us. It is to nurture the roots of connection and to heal the scars humanity has inflicted on our home.

“There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet.” ~Brooke Medicine Eagle

Even in moments of despair, I find hope. The people who are inspired by my journey remind me why I fight. Each person who takes action, who plants a seed of change, is part of a growing movement. We are the dominoes that nudge each other forward, creating a ripple effect of positivity.

People often tell me, “The world needs more people like you.” My response is always the same: “Look in the mirror. You are that person.”

We are all Earth Warriors. We just need to shatter the distorted mirror of civilization that blinds us to the truth. Break the glass, piece together the fragments, and see the world as it truly is—a majestic, interconnected web of life.

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” ~John Muir

I will continue walking, picking up trash, and carrying my signs. I will continue speaking for the Earth, even if my voice is a whisper against the storm of ignorance. Because I know this: I am part of the Earth’s heartbeat, and I refuse to let it flatline.

This is my fight. This is my purpose. This is what it means to be an Earth Warrior.