Every Day is Earth Day

Every now and then it is helpful to look at how planet earth is doing as humans continue to live on it and mess it up. As Earth Day turns fifty today, it seems especially important to look at what has changed and what has not. When Earth Day started in 1970, it was an American celebration. In fifty years, it has become an international event marked in various ways by over one billion people. It is the single largest coordinated effort to care for planet earth.

During the occupant’s administration, environmental regulations have been repealed. Many of them date back to 1970, when the EPA was founded. Most of these changes have passed without recognition. It seems disingenuous to sneak through all these changes while people are busy trying not to die.

According to National Geographic, the occupant has rolled back over ninety regulations related to the environment. The most significant ones include:

• Decreasing safety measures related to offshore drilling.
• Appointing David Bernhardt, a former lobbyist for energy and agribusiness, to be Secretary of the Interior.
• Increasing administrative power to block states’ rights to protest oil and gas pipelines.
• Making Andrew Wheeler, former lobbyist for the coal and auto industry, head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Signing an Executive Order to increase logging by 31% on public lands.
• Approving the use of seismic devices to search for oil and gas deposits that COULD be buried on the sea floor from New Jersey to Florida.
• Disbanding the Pollution Review Panel of the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Approving decreased fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks.
• Repealing rules related to methane gas emissions.
• Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord.
• The complete list is here.

According to the Brookings Institution, their annual state of the earth report noted these things about the United States:

• 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide were released in 2017, the last year for which data are available.
• The average American generated 4.5 pounds of solid waste per day. This is up from 3.6 pounds in 1980.
• 718 animal species in the US are listed as threatened or endangered.
• Over two billion dollars were collected from mineral extraction on public lands.
• Only 0.8% of the federal budget is spent on the environment, not including renewable energy.
• Polar ice caps are melting at an unprecedented rate.
• The complete article is here

When it comes to helping planet earth, even the smallest actions can have a great impact. During this time of pandemic and distance learning, one thing we can teach the next generation is reverence for the earth. Here are a few suggestions of small things that make a big difference.

• Save eight gallons of water per day by turning off the water when brushing your teeth– same with handwashing.
• Unplug appliances when not in use. Use power strips to turn off multiple appliances.
• Wash laundry in cold water.
• Turn off the heated dry cycle of the dishwasher.
• Buy eco-friendly household products. Companies like Cleancult have 0% carbon footprint home cleaning products.
• Decrease plastic waste by buying shampoo and conditioner bars from a company like Naples Soap Company.
• Use cloth towels instead of paper towels.
• STOP using plastic water bottles.
• Bring a reusable cup to the coffee shop.
• Invest in a rain barrel for watering plants.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Stop using plastic straws.
• Buy energy efficient light bulbs.
• Opt out of junk mail.
• Switch to e-books, or better yet, visit your public library!
• Recycle old electronics safely.
• Support your local farmer’s market.
• Eat lower on the food chain. One vegetarian meal per week decreases the methane gas produced by agribusiness.

In Genesis 1, the more familiar creation narrative tells humanity to have “dominion” over the earth. Too often this is understood as permission to pillage and plunder. A second narrative in Genesis 2, tells humanity that caring for the earth is a task entrusted to all. “Till the earth and keep it” is the command. It means that taking care of the earth is everyone’s responsibility. We are in partnership with the Holy to be good stewards of this planet. Holding the earth as those who “till it and keep it” means we are to be good stewards of what is entrusted to us. A steward is one who holds another’s property in trust, responsible to the one who owns it. We hold the earth in trust for the Divine. Being good stewards means that we manage resources wisely. Pope Francis said, “We are stewards, not masters of our earth. Each of us has a personal responsibility to care for the precious gift of God’s creation.”

The Ecological Society of America states, “Earth stewardship requires a new ethic of environmental citizenship on the part of individuals, businesses, and governments. This must be based on a clear understanding of the consequences, tradeoffs, and opportunities associated with action choices that influence the trajectory of our planet.”

Planet earth is at a crucial junction. We can still reverse environmental degradation if we act now.