In a recent CBS 60 Minutes interview with Norah O’Donnell, Pope Francis said, “We have become used to the suffering of others; It doesn’t affect me; It doesn’t concern me; It’s none of my business. In this globalized world, we have fallen into global indifference. Overcome indifference with acts of charity.”

Pope Francis makes a good point. Every day we are blasted with stories of refugees and human suffering from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Floods and tornados across the U.S. kill people and destroy homes. There are accidents, fires, violent crime and injustice globally creating suffering. Indifference may be a protection to avoid depression.

Growing up, news was in daily newspaper stories and TV. We watched the Today Show for an hour in the morning with limited news content, then Captain Kangaroo. The noon news was 15 minutes. Local evening news was 30 minutes followed by the evening news with Walter Cronkite for 30 minutes. Then evening entertainment started with shows like Sea Hunt and Annie Oakley. The day ended with the 30-minute 11 p.m. news followed by The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, which focused on entertainment not politics. We could laugh before going to bed. There was no internet or 24/7 news channels like CNN. Our exposure to national and global suffering was limited.

In contrast to the Pope’s quote. Americans maintained the value of charity by giving time, talent and money when needed. They passed the value on to their children. I can’t speak with authority about other countries. I know what I see in America. There are countless examples of people helping others in need. When the Elk River flooded in 2016 and washed away homes and lives, our high school soccer team was part of the many volunteers who showed up to help. We were working at an aid distribution center. I was surprised by the number of people who drove hundreds of miles on a sunny Saturday to volunteer. Our church became a distribution center. Trucks from churches throughout the region brought aid. When Marietta flooded this year, volunteers showed up. I have friends who helped local businesses move goods to avoid flood damage. Americans aren’t perfect. There is always room to improve and do more. Indifference doesn’t describe us, especially in this region.

America is a giving nation. We have been greatly blessed. TV is full of commercials requesting help for children, animals, veterans, the sick and other causes. Our mail boxes are full of donation requests. Organizations advertise and send requests because they successfully raise money from Americans who willingly give to help others. The Pope is a busy man. In fairness he hasn’t spent much time in America to see Americans in action, watch the TV ads, receive mail or telemarketer requests. Americans give to a specific cause. In our little church, when there is a specific cause like a natural disaster anywhere in the world or people in Ukraine, Israel or Gaza who need help, the special collection can exceed the weekly offering.

Shale Crescent USA was founded by business owners, executives and leaders of community organizations in the Mid-Ohio Valley. In the early days of SCUSA, Executive Committee meetings were every 2 weeks lasting most of the afternoon. There was plenty of work between meetings. Looking around the room I thought, “How are they running their businesses or doing their day job?” These leaders donated time, talent and money because they believe in the mission of creating high wage jobs and raising the standard of living of the people living here.

My wife, Lynnda says, “Greg, you are consumed by the mission of Shale Crescent.” She is right. My uncles lost their jobs in Pittsburgh when the steel industry moved to the Gulf Coast and then Asia. All three of our children left the region to find jobs. It is a seven-hour drive to see our closest children and grandchildren. Today young people have a choice. Good jobs are here. More are coming. One of the biggest challenges companies now have is finding qualified people to fill positions. A motivated team of leaders can make a global difference and change people’s lives for the better.

Frustration should not be mistaken for indifference. Ending the war in Ukraine or other Middle East conflicts is difficult. The average American is powerless. Watching the suffering is frustrating because we can’t do anything but get help to the victims. There is no magic wand our government can use to bring lasting peace short of diplomacy.

Here are some ideas. Our government could encourage U.S. oil production flooding the market and driving down world oil prices. Oil is the main source of Russia’s and Iran’s revenue. Arms dealers require money. War is expensive. Without money peace may be a good alternative. This helps Americans by lowering gasoline prices and cooling off inflation. When oil was $40 a barrel gasoline was $2 a gallon.

The Arab/ Israeli conflicts are much more difficult. They have been fighting for thousands of years. What if Americans could facilitate Arab and Israeli students to find common ground and work for peace between each other in the USA rather than protest. Showing their governments peace is possible. Lynnda and I have friends around the world on both sides of conflicts. From what we see people are all the same. They want to live in peace. They want to take care of their family. They want opportunity for their children.

We can avoid frustration by minimizing the negative that goes into our brain. A Team of motivated business and community leaders showed what is possible. People in our region and around the USA are caring people NOT indifferent. We can always improve. People will act if they believe they can make a difference. The positive results of Americans acting are all around us. All things are possible.

Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing and sales for Shale Crescent USA, www.shalecrescentusa.com. He is a professional engineer with a master’s in environmental engineering and over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry.