POSITIVE ACTIONS FOR THE PLANET
Hearing about positive actions that will help care for creation is uplifting and inspiring and gives all of us Umph to continue our own Earth Steward actions. Here are such stories from the east coast, west coast, close to us and at the national level. All are pointing the way to greater and greater interest in making a difference in the health of the planet.
National---President Biden, on Earth Day 2022, signed an executive order to inventory and protect old-growth forests in the US. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture have a year to collect satellite and on ground data to help form policies to protect, manage and preserve these old-growth forests. Also, the order sets in motion policies to eliminate purchase of agricultural commodities grown on illegally deforested lands. Activists wanted more, but this is a good beginning.
East Coast---Central Park in New York City is 843 acres of lovely green space in a huge city. It was created in 1858 and maintained to this day by a city- wide conservancy board. This board along with other conservancy boards and universities are beginning a study on the benefits of the park, calculating the sequestering of carbon preservation and maintaining the park and giving other cities information on the value of green, studying the cooling effects of the surrounding area and the health of the people using the park. This study will help spaces.
West Coast---A passenger ferry in San Francisco, called “Sea Change” is about to be launched. It is 70 ft long and holds 75 passengers. It will be one of the very first hydrogen cell propelled ferries in the world. Although expensive to build, it only expels water and heat. Getting to scale will take longer, but it is a step in getting to zero emissions.
Focus on a Local Treasure---The KU based program, Monarch Watch is celebrating its 30th birthday this Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be at their center on KU’s West Campus. There will be plants for sale, games and garden tours. Monarch Watch does research on the Monarch butterfly migration, habitat and Importance as a pollinator. It is famous for Monarch Waystations--citizen scientist planting and giving habitat to these beauties on their migration in the fall.
A Local Environmental Action---Do you want to get in on some active restoration work? Plan to attend the last two work sessions helping to do riverbank restoration along the Wakarusa River. Volunteers will remove invasive species of plants and replant with native species. The first event is May 14, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the second is May 19, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Both events are in Eudora, KS. Reservations are required. You may send questions to kim.bellemere@kansasriver.org .
Because we share one earth, every action, no matter how small, means we are ensuring a healthier earth.