EARTH DAY NEWS

Too bad the 1972 song by Three Dog Night didn't spur a big enough movement to slow down the damage being done to our world. "Joy to the fishes"? So many are shrinking in numbers along with their brothers and sisters of the deep. And in many places, that sea isn't "deep blue" anymore. Overfishing, warming waters, discarded trash, and the millions of molecules of leftover plastic being swallowed by these marine animals, are placing some on the verge of extinction.

By now you all know that this is Earth Day. Watching the news and the accompanying pictures and videos, leaves one wondering what this world will be like in a few very short years. One doesn't have to be a scientist to recognize the changing weather patterns. The increase in the number and severity of hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, and wildfires is evident throughout the year. We barely get over the pain of seeing the pitiful victims, the ruins of their homes and belongings, and thinking how fortunate we are to be spared such destruction -- at least this time -- when the next disaster hits planet earth. 

Unfortunately, the news of the destruction still outweigh the "good news" of people and organizations working to find solutions to undo or prevent the damage we have wrought. We witness daily the effects of pollution, natural disasters, and wars. The news show CBS This Morning now has a series titled "Earth Matters", which covers "climate change across the globe." This morning's segments were on deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and what is being done to help stop it Amazon Forest, the scientists studying the changes in the sea floor in Antarctica Sea Floor Expedition, the use of solar energy by the young generation in South Africa's Energy Revolution, as well as topics on air pollution and the challenges faced by our water sources.

The fact that a portion of the Rio Grande River has been bone dry in recent times (due to drought) was particularly frightening to me. As a Texas gal, I've always believed that river would be here forever. Watch just a few of the above videos and read the articles on efforts taken across the globe to help the environment, and join in or donate to the causes.

(Rigs to Reefs - Mission Blue)

An article about oil rigs (I grind my teeth at them) and wind turbines mounted on the ocean beds surprised me. My younger son Matthew once was an avid scuba diver who brought back beautiful photographs of underwater coral reefs. The thought that some have already been "killed" is discouraging. Technology is contributing to the deaths of so much of our sea life. However: "researchers are urging governments to reconsider a law in which sea installations – such as oil rigs and wind turbines – have to be removed at the end of their lifespan, which can last for 20 or 30 years. The reason for this is that all the infrastructure needed to anchor the structures to the sea floor eventually becomes beneficial to plant and fish life." 

Now that is creative! Researchers also state that they see many more porpoises around oil rigs than in the surrounding sea. If only oil companies would cease to drill in our oceans..and may we never have a disastrous oil spill like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 9-years ago this month. One of the worst oil spills in our nation's history, the impact of the environmental damage to our Gulf Coast ecosystem is ongoing.

(plastic-pollution.org)

The plastics which plague our environment are gradually being replaced. Many are opting out of using plastic utensils, shopping bags, water bottles, and especially straws. Many cities are banning the use of plastic bags, and recycling has become such a problem that China has begun to refuse to accept materials from the U.S. to be recycled. 

The length of time required for plastic to disintegrate in our landfills as well as the danger to our sea wildlife makes replacing it a priority to many ecologists today. A nonrenewable resource, synthetic plastic production contributes not only to global warming, but the transport of the unlimited items made from it to factories at all corners of the globe also increases its carbon footprint. 

(John Cunningham, JONAA's Marine Science Editor)

"Algae bioplastics were discovered when many companies were exploring alternative sources of biofuels for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

"Bioplastics or natural plastics are a variety of plastics based on renewable biomass resources which include vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch as opposed to fossil-fuel plastic materials created from petroleum." Algae Bioplastics

Kudos to the Dutch designers, Eric Klarenbeek and Maartje Dros,  who spent three years creating their biopolymer, made of local raw materials. They subsequently used materials such as organic resources like mycelium, potato starch, cocoa bean shells, and, more importantly, algae.. Algae Plastic.

A couple more items that peaked my interest: 

1) We may soon be able to melt down plastic waste into fuel for hydrogen cars. (Ahem, who has a hydrogen car?) And 2) Ultra cheap printable solar panels are now available in Australia.

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More good advice from CBS This Morning. Three things you can do to help protect the environment.

1. Eat less meat. "Have meatless Mondays." Livestock are a major source of carbon emissions.

2. Cut your freeway usage. (Take a train or bus. Car pool.)

3. And of course, reduce your plastic use.

Spiritual traditions often contain good ideas to encourage us to take care of our Mother Earth:

"To truly practice Zen therefore means not leaving lights burning when they are not needed, not allowing water to run unnecessarily from the faucet, not loading up your plate and leaving food uneaten." Philip Kapleau in 365 Zen by Jean Smith

To Practice This Thought:

"Find ways to be respectful of the things you use and encounter, bearing in mind that water, food, light, and other resources are gifts."

So many people are not blessed with even these necessities of life. May we teach our children better than we were taught.

Peace and love for out planet,
Marilyn