Ecological Education Articles
#7.The Sun
Rhett Herman, Ph.D., physics professor at Radford University in Virginia (Scientific American, 10/26/1998, How fast is the Earth moving) says, the Earth revolves around the sun in 365 days at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph, and rotates on its axis, at the equator at 1,000 mph. In addition, the sun is a yellow star made of hydrogen and helium, 93 million miles from earth, and its volume would need 1.3 million earths to fill it (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
#6.Earth Day and the Catholic Church
Gaylord Nelson, who founded Earth Day, saw, in the 1960’s, a deteriorating environment and Anti-Vietnam War protests. Both gave him the idea for a “teach-in” about environmental issues on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day. It’s estimated that 20 million people participated in this event, according to “The History of Earth Day, Adirondack Council.” The first two websites under “What can we do!” give ideas for Earth Day on April 22, 2023.
#5.Righting Wrongs Through Legislation
Historically, we’ve learned much about righting wrongs to promote environmental protection. Two notable authors are Aldo Leopold (“A Sand County Almanac”) and Rachel Carson (“Silent Spring”). Both were helpful in passing legislation like:
#4.Only You Can Prevent Wildfires
Did you know that nearly 85% of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans (2000-2017 data based on Wildland Fire Management Information, and U.S. Forest Service Research Data Archive), while others by lightning? Human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, burning of debris, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson (National Park Service, Wildfire Causes and Evaluations). Smokey Bear’s fire prevention message today is, “Only you can prevent wildfires.”
#3.Do Trees Make You Healthier?
Have you heard about the Louisville, Kentucky, “Green Heart” project －“Do trees make you healthier?” This 6-year study (the first of its kind) will transform four neighborhoods in South Louisville with 8,000 trees. Trees, shrubs and other plants will be placed where they can best soak up lung-damaging pollution (James Bruggers, 10/26/17, Courier Journal). Trees give us oxygen to breathe; shade; sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and filter pollutants.
#2.Bees, Butterflies and Earthworms
In 1963, Peter, Paul and Mary (an American folk group) released their version of the Bob Dylan song “Blowin’ in the Wind.” In it, they sing, “Where have all the flowers gone?” Today, these lyrics could easily become, “Where have all the bees, butterflies and earthworms gone?” These animals may be considered sentinel species used to detect risks to humans, very much like a canary sent into a coal mine. If it died, that was an early warning.
#1.A Team Effort of Love
Did you know that in 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act, which required some federal agencies to take part in certain regulations, policies, projects, licensing, and permitting? The NEPA has been a blessing for 50 years because it requires projects to realize their impacts on the environment, and be held accountable. It was developed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate/lessen our impacts upon Earth’s air, water and soil.