For “EarthDay.50” – Good News

Despite pandemic, pollution and panic, we are making progress.

The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action. During the 50 years since then, we have made many improvements and learned a lot about what more is possible. The pandemic has forced us to slow down and reconsider what is most important to our hearts and minds. Amid the suffering, there is reason to hope.

For Earth Day 50, let’s focus on good news. Even when it seems that all progress has stopped and the flame has been doused, it is possible to rekindle the fire for change and rebuild our momentum toward a world where we can survive and thrive, one that works for us all.

Good: Landmark environmental laws have been passed in the US and many countries worldwide.
Goal: Use that framework, built by hard-won experience, to tackle our global climate crisis.
Action Ideas: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/

Good: We know once again what nearby mountains and landmarks look like. Thank the “Stay Home” order for that.
Goal: Let’s reshape our post-pandemic lives to keep the skies clear.
Action Ideas: When it is once again safe to join friends and coworkers “out in the world”, let’s create more earth-friendly customs and habits.

And the people stayed home.
And they read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.

And they listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed.
And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.
- Kitty O'Meara

Good: We actually have ability to make energy from the sun and wind.
Goal: Make freely available and renewable resources the default in our structures.
Action Ideas: Huge leap in solar power: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-0598-5

Good: Voting age is now 18. Momentum from the first Earth Day spurred ratification of the 26th amendment in record time.
Goal: Register! Elect a government whose priorities align with yours.
Action Ideas: Consider Pogo’s wise words for the first earth day in 1970.

Pogo 1970 Earth Day poster: We have met the enemy and he is us.

Do you have a climate change “good news” story? Please send us your observations about environmental changes that have taken place in your own life in the past 50 years (or your current age, whichever comes first).

Use the contact form and mention Earth Day 50
https://www.netlearningcenter.org/?page_id=1407

– Pat Adams