Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
READ MORE ABOUT:
After having rocked the world as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson is again rocking the nation.
From television tributes, to radio talk, newspaper and blog buzz—the media is trying to make sense of his sudden death—looking back at the history of his career, his controversial life in the public eye, and his profound effect on the music industry as a whole.
Who’s never once tried Michael’s famous moonwalk? Danced to Thriller? Or been awed by his energetic, jaw-dropping performances?
I think it’s safe to say that many of us are saddened over the loss of such an important thread in our cultural DNA, as musician John Mayer put it.
Neverland Ranch
But beyond the loss of MJ exists another layer of sad that I contemplated last night while watching a tribute to him on MTV, and then again this morning when reading Ecorazzi posed a similar question:
What will become of his Neverland Ranch—its zoo animals, theme park rides, and overall, it’s 2,800 acres of outright stuff?
That’s a whole lot that could end up neglected or rotted away in a landfill!
In an ideal world his animals will be taken care of, the rides preserved for future use and his stuff auctioned off for good causes. Otherwise the thought of neglected critters abandoned and garbage-truck loads of trash is entirely grim and so-not-green.
And we’d rather see the legend of MJ live on in memory, not in the dump.
The Michael Jackson Message?
While we may not live as excessively as the King of Pop did, his passing is still certainly a meditation on the fleetingness of death. One day we’re here, one day we’re not. And that our stuff, if not biodegradable, will live on well beyond our human lifespan.
If we want our legacy to be as green as our living one, the eco-rule of thumb is simple: Live simply—as clutter-free and minimally as possible. And then have a plan in place, so that friends and family make sure nothing gets left behind—unused or trashed.
More on Celebrities:
What's Your Green Celebrity IQ (Quiz)?
5 Fabulous Ways to Act Like an Eco-Celebrity
Greening the Tween Celebrity Fix
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
-
- {}
