Sometimes our members write letters to the editor when there are situations of concern or celebration. This page provides a forum for those letters that were published.
We must continue the Earth Day Fight
Letter to The Morning Call 2020/04/22 page 15
On the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, I was a PhD student in ecology studying how pollution from zinc smelters in Palmerton damaged forest ecosystems on Blue Mountain. At that time not much attention was paid to our environment in the media or by politicians.
We have made progress since then– rivers don’t catch on fire any more–but most people don’t realize the connections between human health, diverse ecosystems, sustainable economies and a livable climate. Today we are suffering a pandemic that has disrupted our lives, healthcare systems and the economy. Climate change is also bringing expensive economic disruptions and taking human lives, through heat waves, storms, flooding and wildfires. Pollution from burning oil and gas damages our lungs, worsening impacts from corona virus. We need immediate action, informed by experts, to address both the pandemic and climate change.
We can all help by supporting social distancing guidelines, caring for each other, and urging our legislators (state and federal) to support legislation promoting clean energy and banning fracking. In these stressful times of social distancing we need nature even more. Being outdoors in natural parks and green spaces benefits our mental and physical health, and brings us solace.
Marilyn Jordan
Even if you’re housebound, you can Celebrate Earth Day
Letter to the Express-Times, digital 2020/04/21 and printed 2020/04/22 page 4
On the first Earth Day in 1970 I was a PhD graduate student in ecology at Rutgers, learning how everything in the world is connected. I saw important connections in The Express-Times’ April 19 edition. Three articles about the COVID-19 outbreak on page 1 were followed in the Sunday Morning section by articles on climate change, restoring ecosystems at home, and how beneficial insects might save the world.
These issues are connected. The pandemic has disrupted our lives, healthcare systems and the economy. So has climate change, which is bringing expensive economic disruptions through heat waves, catastrophic flooding and wildfires. Pollution from burning oil and gas has damaged our lungs, making us more likely to sicken and die from coronavirus here in the Lehigh Valley and globally. Both issues need immediate action, informed by experts. Delay will only make things worse. It has been 50 years since the first Earth Day, but it is not too late to act. We can all help by supporting social distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and urging our legislators to support clean energy and ban fracking.
In these stressful times of social distancing we need nature even more. Being outdoors in natural parks and green spaces benefits our mental and physical health, and brings us solace in grief. More housebound people are gardening. You can help nature by planting native species — read the articles on “help restore the ecosystem” and “welcome bugs to your yard” and get Douglas Tallamy’s book “Nature’s Best Hope” for guidance.
Marilyn Jordan