Cry Of The Earth Articles
#8.Saving the American Chestnut Tree
In 1904, a fungal disease, Cryphonectria parasitica, was introduced from Japanese chestnut trees brought into the Bronx Zoo. By the year 1906, 98% of the chestnut trees in the Bronx were infected. In 40 years, 4 billion American chestnuts perished.
#7.The Most Efficient Ecosystems for Carbon Storage
“Science tells us, every day with more precision, that it is necessary to act with urgency – if we want to have the hope of avoiding radical changes in the climate and catastrophes. We have just a few years – scientists calculate roughly fewer than 30 – to drastically reduce the emissions of gas and the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.” (Pope Francis in TED talk: Earth cannot be squeezed ‘like an orange,’ Vatican City, 10/10/20).
#6.Save the Dirt
Dave Hudak, a former Field Office Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, showed great wisdom when he’d say, “Save the dirt.” He was really saying, “Save the soil.” If you give life to the soil and make it healthy, you’ll resolve many land, water and air issues. An excellent article is, “The Soil is Alive, Protecting Soil Biodiversity across Europe” (European Commission, 5/22/08). Soils with high biodiversity can be noisy (Ute Eberle, 2/9/22, Life in the soil was thought to be silent. What if it isn’t? Living World). Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “A nation that destroys its soil, destroys itself.”
#5.Carbon Neutrality
The majority of greenhouse gases in the United States, like carbon dioxide, come from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). They cause climate change by trapping heat, and have far-ranging environmental and health effects (National Geographic, Carbon dioxide levels are at a record high. Here’s what you need to know. Christina Nunez, 5/13/19). A simple way to help Our Mother Earth is to become carbon neutral.
#4.Healthy Soils Reduce Flooding, Global Warming and Run-off
Did you know that, through years of soil degradation, nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments have run off into rivers that enter the Mississippi River creating a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico the size of New Jersey (The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone - SERC – Carleton, 10/15/2019)?
#3.Wetlands Clean Air and Water, and Save Soil
Did you know the estimated Indiana wetlands, circa 1780, was 5.6 million acres or 24.1% of the state? Today, there are 3.5% wetland acres in the State – a loss of 85% (IDNR, Indiana Wetlands Conservation Plan, June 1996). One million of these acres were in the Grand Kankakee Marsh (Jack Klasey, 2/2/19, Daily Journal, Kankakee, Illinois) which has been effectively lost today.
#2.The Importance of Biodiversity
Did you know many animals and plants are becoming extinct in the world, due to overpopulation, overcrowding, and overconsumption? All species on Earth are gifts from God, and biodiversity holds a treasure of genes that can offer many possibilities, especially since “humans are more at risk from diseases as biodiversity disappears” (John Platt, 12/7/10, Scientific American). So, we urge you to take to heart Pope Francis’ wisdom in his Chapter 1: Loss of Biodiversity.
#1.Water Quality Wisdom and Our Commitment for a Greener and Healthier World
Did you know about 60% of our bodies are comprised of water, and there is only 3% freshwater on Earth? Without clean drinking water, we cannot survive. Polluted water can cause cancer, lead poisoning and many diseases. So why are our waterways and oceans being polluted? We urge you to take to heart Pope Francis’ wisdom in his Chapter 1: The Issue of Water. Our Mother Earth needs our help in stopping water unbalances, water shortages, and water pollution.