Hey all, Happy Earth Day to you! And happy Saturday and weekend too. It’s not every year that Earth Day falls on a weekend, but when it does, it is nice. Here is a post I wrote another year, about the history of Earth Day and also some things YOU can do to make a difference.
Saturday is usually the day I do my puzzler, but I am going to hold off on that until tomorrow. Did you know that as Earth Day is being celebrated, there will be more than 500 locations around the world where people will be marching in support of Science?
Why are all these people getting together for Science? And why on Earth Day?
Because a really lot is at stake, not just for the United States, but for the world.
What we do here impacts the world and other countries expect us to set a high bar and then uphold it.
Scientists agree that the climate of the earth is changing. Our clean water and clean air are something we take for granted. But what if 5 decades of environmental progress is taken away with one executive order? What if our precious National Parks are opened up to mining or drilling for oil? What if pesticides that have been deemed dangerous by dedicated scientists are allowed again? What if the chemicals from fracking are allowed to pollute our waters? What if the very institutions that we depend on to keep the water and air clean are eliminated? What if the research scientists have worked on for decades, is no longer being funded, or worse, erased?
Despite what some think, this is not a political issue. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent or other, these decisions have the potential to affect you and generations to come.
From the Science March website: “Scientists work to build a better understanding of the world around us.
Science is a process, not a product — a tool of discovery that allows us to constantly expand and revise our knowledge of the universe. In doing so, science serves the interests of all humans, not just those in power.
We recognize that inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in science are critical to ensure that science reaches its potential to serve all communities. We must protect the rights of every person to engage with, learn from, and help shape science, free from manipulation by special interests.”
Science is part of our daily lives. For instance, did you know without SCIENCE we would have none of these things?
- Medicines that keep us healthy
-
- antibiotics
- insulin
- vaccines
- cell phone
- alarm clock
- tv
- computers
- the internet
- radio
- photography
- weather reports
- clean water
- clean air to breathe
- food
- electricity
- cars
- dental floss
- plastic
- organ transplants
- transportation, from buses,cars,trains, airplanes,boats, etc
- newspapers
- fans and air-conditioning
- heat
Of course this is only a small list, but you get the idea! I am going to be spending my Earth Day marching in support of Science…. how you will spend yours? What does Earth Day mean to you?
As always, I’d love to hear from you! Use the comment box below to tell me your thoughts.
See you tomorrow for the puzzler!
A great march this morning in Asheville capped by your thoughts in todays blog,
Thank you for your ‘sane’ approach…..Science works for all of us….we choose the direction: life enhancing or life denying. I choose Life.
Hugs
Bea
The March in DC was well attended– lots of folks on the same page. Very inspiring. It rained the entire day, but people were still smiling and friendly. Thanks for standing up for Science! And thanks too for reading.
Great post, Sharon! You have said it beautifully.
Thanks Renee. The march in DC was crowded, despite a very rainy day. It was wonderful being involved
These marches for so many topics seem rather futile, but they are not!! They worked in the 60’s and they will work again. The administration didn’t collapse because of it but the necessary shifts in policies came about. It takes a lot of water to create a canyon……but it works every time.
It is inspiring that you are always so optimistic. Thanks for reading.