Earth Day has always been near and dear to my heart. I've written before that I was a sophomore in high school when it was instituted (1970) and, despite the last administration's plans/wishes to systematically undercut/erode all the gains previously in place, we are finding our way back to making environmental concerns a priority. Even the small things can add up to big things. I urge you today to make, or continue, a commitment to action: bring your canvas bags to the grocery store... recycle... walk, bus or bike instead of driving and, if you do drive, carpool... use compact fluorescent light bulbs... turn off lights when you leave a room... brush your teeth with the water off... plant a garden... start and maintain a compost pile... become a locavore (eating as much locally-grown food as possible)... buy minimally-packaged goods to reduce your garbage... follow through on Meatless Monday or, even better, go as vegetarian or vegan as feels comfortable to you.
We are connected to each other as well as to the Earth and all the creatures that are a part of nature, and we must spread the message of that connection, a message that challenges us to heal the Earth for our children (and grandchildren!), and for all on this precious planet. We must envision and work towards a future that will be healthy for all beings as if our lives depended on it. Because, in fact, it does... 🌏
Delighted to read this article this morning!
Biden Will Pledge to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Nearly in Half: The president will commit the United States to deep cuts in emissions at an Earth Day summit meeting that starts on Thursday, according to people familiar with the plan.
Also, we here in South Florida can celebrate Earth Day on WLRN-TV (our local PBS station) tonight with:
Extinction: The Facts
9 P.M.
With a million species at risk of extinction, Sir David Attenborough explores how this crisis of biodiversity has consequences for us all, undermining our ability to control our climate and putting us at greater risk of pandemic diseases.
Climate Change: The Facts
10 P.M.
Host Sir David Attenborough presents scientific evidence of the impact of global warming. Discover how the latest innovations and technology are posing potential solutions and what we can do to prevent further damage.
Troubled Waters: A Turtle’s Tale
11 P.M.
In this WLRN original documentary, you'll learn the devastating effects global warming and water pollution have had on the lives of South Florida's most beloved underwater creatures - our sea turtles - and what you can do to help.
Over the weekend I watched Kiss the Ground and Seaspiracy documentaries, both excellent, and highly recommended!
Also, Help the Lorax Plant Trees! For each copy Barnes & Noble sells in stores and online from 4/1/21 – 4/30/21, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Penguin Random House will each donate $1 to One Tree Planted.
POEM(S): Earth Your Dancing Place by May Swenson
Beneath heaven's vault
remember always walking
through halls of cloud
down aisles of sunlight
or through high hedges
of the green rain
walk in the world
highheeled with swirl of cape
hand at the swordhilt
of your pride
Keep a tall throat
Remain aghast at life
Enter each day
as upon a stage
lighted and waiting
for your step
Crave upward as flame
have keenness in the nostril
Give your eyes
to agony or rapture
Train your hands
as birds to be
brooding or nimble
Move your body
as the horses
sweeping on slender hooves
over crag and prairie
with fleeing manes
and aloofness of their limbs
Take earth for your own large room
and the floor of the earth
carpeted with sunlight
and hung round with silver wind
for your dancing place
Speaking Tree by Joy Harjo
I had a beautiful dream I was dancing with a tree.
—Sandra Cisneros
Some things on this earth are unspeakable:
Genealogy of the broken—
A shy wind threading leaves after a massacre,
Or the smell of coffee and no one there—
Some humans say trees are not sentient beings,
But they do not understand poetry—
Nor can they hear the singing of trees when they are fed by
Wind, or water music—
Or hear their cries of anguish when they are broken and bereft—
Now I am a woman longing to be a tree, planted in a moist, dark earth
Between sunrise and sunset—
I cannot walk through all realms—
I carry a yearning I cannot bear alone in the dark—
What shall I do with all this heartache?
The deepest-rooted dream of a tree is to walk
Even just a little ways, from the place next to the doorway—
To the edge of the river of life, and drink—
I have heard trees talking, long after the sun has gone down:
Imagine what would it be like to dance close together
In this land of water and knowledge. . .
To drink deep what is undrinkable.
QUOTE: "We are called to assist the earth, to heal her wounds and in the process, heal our own – indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty, and wonder." ~ Wangari Maathai
