Photo Credit: Cayman Compass
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
Do you know if your country/state/city has a Climate Action Plan (CAP)? A CAP is a detailed document for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in an effort to solve climatic impacts. In June 2024, more than 20 federal agencies released updated CAPs, while Tracy Wholf reported since March 2024 in the United States, 45 states had CAPs. ClimateCheck said, “Hundreds of cities across the United States are using CAPs to guide their climate change response by guiding government and community actions”.
In communication with the Evansville Climate Collaborative per Director Lauren Norvell, “Indiana just completed the first ever state primary CAP, and will have a comprehensive CAP completed by this time next year.” She also said, “many Indiana cities have CAPs of which is now the norm and expectation.” In 2021, Evansville, Indiana published its Climate Action Plan with support from the Environmental Resilience Institute of Indiana University. Evansville’s CAP focused on: (1) Transportation; (2) Building and Energy; (3) Waste; and (4) Local Food, Agriculture, and Green Space. It’s currently being revised to be published in 2025.
The Evansville Climate Collaborative also reported, “the proposed Evansville CAP will focus on strategies that can be implemented, and that have direct and measurable impact on GHG reductions. It will focus on things Evansville residents, businesses, organizations, and the municipality can do. We must start at home and show some success in reducing emissions, and then we can dream big and lead an attempt at a regional CAP in the future.”
Other thoughts for CAPs may include transportation, infrastructure, refuges, or urban planning projects. Any time a CAP can promote more green space, it acts as a carbon sink, cools nearby municipalities by its vegetated wetlands/forests, and serves as a buffer for storms. Some CAPs may even support community-supported agriculture farms that feed the hungry and poor. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services even recommends Occupancy Emergency Plans, including shelter-in-place and evacuation guidance, for extreme event responses.
In addition, it is not uncommon for a CAP to support more solar panels, green roofs, tree plantings, and permeable surfaces. These actions help reduce the city as a “heat sink.” CAPs could even include recycling of wastes, e.g., plastic. For more information on reducing plastic, please visit https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ .
What Can You Do?
Transportation - Work from home, carpool/combine trips/public transport, bike, walk, or buy an electric car.
Building and Energy - Assess your property’s carbon footprint; make your home well-sealed, insulated, and weatherized; install low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets; unplug electronic devices when not in use; and include planting in downtown areas cascading green plants like those used in Chinese apartment buildings.
Waste - Reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, repair, and refuse; compost yard/home wastes; shop in bulk; use reusable bottles/grocery bags; do not use straws; choose seasonal/local produce; use 100% cotton, not polyester or nylon; and use water collected in rain barrels for irrigating gardens and yards during droughts.
Local Food, Agriculture, and Green Space - Shop locally; consider a plant-rich diet; garden at home; join Master Gardeners; protect refuges, parks, and conservation areas; make your property park-like; and promote farming methods that keep roots in the soil year-round. For no-till farming, please read Frank Lessiter’s book “Frankly Speaking: A Non-Whitewashed, 'First-Hand' Account of No-Till Farming's Rise Over 50-Plus Years.”
Quote: “We can only preserve the planet for generations to come if companies and governments act together to build a clear path towards carbon neutrality.” — Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich
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!