Earth Day. It’s Effects To Our Island

April 22, 2021

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act are considered to be products associated with the 1970 Earth Day.

Why is Earth Day important to us? Our island’s existence is directly affected by it. Sahara Dust comes off the coast of Africa directly to the Caribbean. On really bad days health advisories are placed in effect. In addition, the dust is so thick and smog-like that it’s difficult to see Buck Island. Most recently we’ve also been bombarded by the volcanic ash from La Soufrière in St. Vincent. Originally the rare west wind pushed it, ironically towards Africa. Now with the winds back to the normal East Northeast, we can smell, and taste the ash. The most beautiful sunset photos come from these air pollutants.

Speaking of Air quality, after a year of clear skies during the pandemic, there is again a rise in Chem Trails, and with the lack of precipitation, our lagoons and salt ponds are drying up and our mangroves are dying. They all kept our avian wildlife population healthy.

Our beaches just got another wave of Sargassum. It originated from the southern Atlantic off the coast of Brazil. The tourism industry in the Caribbean and Mexico have been greatly affected by this smelly seagrass. The clean-up cost for the beaches is in the hundreds of millions in the affected areas. Researchers are linking the grass’s overgrowth to the runoffs from the Brazilian coastline due to the deforestation of the Amazon.

The whitening and different diseases are also affecting our beautiful coral. One of the possible solutions was to inject the coral with antibiotics, which would in turn, end up on our dinner plates because the fish we eat ingest coral. God knows what other catastrophes were to arise as a result.

Sometimes we forget we live on this one planet and everyone is affected by everything that takes place on it. It is interesting how an island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea is feeling the reverberation of climatic events thousands of miles away. We could go on and speak on the earthquakes in Puerto Rico that were rare on its southern coast but are now there are daily waves of seismic activity. Some experts say it may be due to off-shore drilling.

All events are brought on by man’s negligence and disrespect for our planet. SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SAVE HUMANITY? Mother earth will survive but will we?

So now I’m off the soapbox, there is another part of this earth we’ve forgotten. All indigenous cultures venerate Mother Earth, Pacha Mama, Mama Gia as a nurturer with beautiful mother energy. Seeing people in deep pain with loss, hug a tree, or lay on a rock and be comforted. Rubbing several leaves on your skin to ease the pain of a wasp bite. Picking fresh fruit or vegetables directly from the trees in your yard. Floating on the ocean with the sense that you’re one with everything. These are all things we did instinctively as children.

I ask you to pause during the course of the day to reflect on how you can co-exist with our planet.

Things we can do to better co-exist with the planet:

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three “R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too.
Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.
Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean.
Choose sustainable. Learn how to make smart seafood choices at www.fishwatch.gov.
Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag.
Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, flip the light switch off when you leave the room!
Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change.
Don’t send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office.
Bike more. Drive less.