Photo Credit: Malindang NewsLine (May 31, 2020), Tangub City, Philippines - CPV Farm
Deacon Tom Cervone, Ph.D., Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C., and Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. M.S.
Our Planet Earth
Author’s note: This website encourages, inspires, and informs Earth citizens to Care for Our Planet Earth.”
Introduction
Did you know celebrating September 1 as a Day of Prayer for Creation begins the Season of Creation? The season goes through October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. It is an annual celebration uniting everyone in prayer and action for the protection of our common home.
The Most Reverend Paul Etienne, Archbishop of Seattle, says, “Let the Lord move us to recognize where we are being called to personal conversion in our relationship with God, the human family, and creation. Then, pray about what we can personally do to show our compassion for healing some part of God’s creation.”
Three compassionate ways addressed in this article are:
- conversion to renewable forms of energy
- no-till farming
- conservation of wetlands, forests, and prairies
It is a well-known fact that greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2) are heating up the atmosphere and planet, and causing a climate crisis shown by melting of the poles/icebergs and permafrost, rising sea level, and many wildfires with extended flooding and/or droughts throughout the world. The sooner we move to renewable energy forms, the sooner we’ll be able to reduce and hopefully avoid a climatic crisis.
No-till farming is good for the Earth and all life. It reduces the use of fossil fuel-powered machinery and retains carbon in the soil rather than releasing greenhouse gases during tillage. Since no-till farming doesn’t require a tractor to pull a plow, it saves fuel, cutting emissions. Estimates across the nation report no-till farming saves 588 million gallons of diesel fuel annually which is enough energy to power over 720,000 homes per year, and prevents at least 5.8 million tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of removing 1 million cars off the road”. No-till farming increases our food securities, reduces flooding, and loss of chemicals by water and wind erosion. It makes the soil less compact, yet holds water like a sponge, and develops healthy topsoil with many macro- and microorganisms. It costs less, requires less time, and gives greater production.
The conservation of wetlands, forests, and prairies are also needed to protect wildlife, plants, and humans. By having such habitats, rainwater is held and the groundwater recharged, thus reducing flooding, erosion of stream banks, and run-off of chemicals into larger water bodies downstream. It does no one any good to fertilize and deposit sediments in the ocean, especially with their warmer waters holding less oxygen now. The largest dead zone in the ocean lies in the Arabian Sea, while the second largest sits in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the United Nations Development Program (December 2015), “Worldwide there are now more than 500 ‘dead zones’ which are doubling every ten years since the 1960s. The economic costs to fisheries, tourism and other coastal livelihoods cost billions per year.”
What Can You Do?
Convert to renewable forms of energy - Support solar, geothermal, wind and hydroelectric. Live a simpler life by using less energy at home and in traveling locally or abroad.
No-till farming - Shop locally and tell others that we appreciate all the efforts farmers give, especially in no-till farming and bringing back rich topsoil, earthworms, and other valuable critters that live in the soil.
Conservation of wetlands, forests, and prairies - Support these measures since they help keep our air, water, and land clean. If you own property, plant trees and make your property park-like. Planting trees make a great memorial or celebration for a person, e.g., Arbor Day Foundation plants trees for such times.
Quote: “Disturb the soil as little as possible, keep the soil covered as much as possible, and keep the soil planted as much as possible” — Jesse Frost, certified organic market gardener
Tom Cervone, Ph.D. is a deacon, ecologist, and member of Seton Harvest and Sycamore Land Trust. Sister Maureen Houlihan D.C. is a member of the “Care of Earth” Committee - St. Louise Province of the Daughters of Charity USA and Seton Harvest Farm. Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. MS. is a teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School. Michael Cervone, BS. is a website designer.
Comments about this article/website may be directed to ourplanetearth.eco@gmail.com Thank you!