The rapids at Gullfoss, illuminated in warmth from the rising sun, make their way toward the monumental plunge.

“We all flow from one fountain soul.” – John Muir

Muir dedicated his life to safeguarding nature; he sought to keep the trees growing and the rivers flowing. The naturalist’s inspirational writing affected change; he helped preserve Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park in America through his letters, essays and books.

Ironically, I’m American and have never been to either of those two parks, but I’ve been to lands all over the world that Muir’s words could apply to, Iceland most specifically. The entire country, literally every square foot of it, should be deemed a natural wonder of the world. A wonder worth protecting.

I say, let us live by Muir’s words. Let us join his cause. From Yosemite to Iceland, from the Serengeti to the rainforests of Asia, from the Sahara to the polar ice caps, let us be agents of environmental change. Why? Because we all flow from one soul – Earth’s. ­