There was a saying when I was in my teens that everything and everyone is connected in one way or another.  It was similar to “If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there, does it still make a sound?”

There is no right or wrong answer to either question, however, everyone seems to have an opinion and a viewpoint of their own for each question.  As we look at the global economy, these questions come to mind. 

During the past few years, we have watched as oil prices have skyrocketed from double digits to over $4 per gallon in the U.S., and higher prices in other countries, with the forecast of prices going even higher before long.  As a result, we have seen a substantial rise in food prices, a decline in stocks, a large increase in layoffs and lost jobs and families losing their homes more than ever before in history.

These issues are so important that both the Democratic and the Republican National Conventions spoke about them in the past two weeks. 

Looking at the bleak situation, there are connections between many of the problems.  Let’s start with the fuel crisis.  The cost of fuel has become so high that many people are leaving their cars at home and opting to take the bus to work if there is a bus line available.  The problem is that many cities, including major cities such as Denver, are eliminating bus routes just when people need them most, because the cities can’t afford the gas to get to some areas.

The fuel crisis has affected manufacturing to the extent that many auto makers have laid of thousands of workers because the demand for luxurious gas guzzlers of a few years ago has evaporated.  There are talks of converting plants to start manufacturing hybrids and other fuel efficient cars, but that will take time, money and training.  Meanwhile, people are out of work.

Adding just one more thing, farmers and truckers are being hit hard, as well.  It takes fuel to plant and harvest crops and it takes fuel to transport them to the market place.  With costs going up, some trucking companies and farms have gone out of business while others are simply trying to hang on and wait it out.

There is no need to go into the rest of the story.  We all know what’s up.  What is important to think about is the answers to the questions at the beginning of this article.  If we are all connected – even by a small, thin thread – it is time to work together to find solutions to this crisis.  Even if we each do one tiny thing – recycle, conserve, carpool – it could add up to the difference between a trucker or farmer staying in business or having to close their doors.