WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 5th, 2005, is WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
All around the world this past week and this weekend there are festivities and educating activities going on that celebrate the human relationship with the wondrous planet EARTH.
San Francisco, CA, is the first United States city to host WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY since the United Nations General Assembly created the celebration in 1972. A film festival is part of the weeklong awareness events. One movie being shown is the 1907 (that's right, it's nearly 100 years old) film "HARVEST" ("REGAIN") about the delicate balance between humans and the land. French writer Mr. JEAN GIONO's novel "HARVEST" ("REGAIN") inspired producer/director MARCEL PAGNOL to create this "testament to human dignity, illustrating that, like the EARTH, the individual will remain barren if left alone".
I believe we must reach out to others with our messages of TREATING THE PHYSICAL EARTH WITH RESPECT. If this RESPECT IS NOT BROUGHT BACKINTO EXISTENCE, THE AIR WILL CONTINUE TO BECOME CLOGGED WITH DISEASE CAUSING AGENTS, THE SOIL WILL BE BARREN, AND THE WATER WILL NOT KEEP US ALIVE.
The concept is simple, and IMPLEMENTING IT IS IMPERATIVE.
Another film being shown is "BLUE VINYL" by award-winning documentary maker JUDITH HELFAND. It shows the deadly history of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from its creation to incineration. I have seen this several times on HBO. It is sad, funny, and disturbing. "BLUE VINYL" puts 'a human face on the dangers of PVC at every stage of its existence, from factory to incinerator'. This one I highly recommend you view. Another is "NATURE'S REVENGE". This jolting look at toxic pollution's effects on humans, birds, and insects would make RACHEL CARSON (writer of "SILENT SPRING") sigh in disgust that some things have not changed enough. "NATURE'S REVENGE" from 1992 is a look at interviews done by STEFFAN JARL with Swedish farmers and what pesticides and herbicides have done to them and other living things around them.
Go to www.greenscreenfilmfestival.org for more information on these and other wonderful ENVIRONMENTAL FILMS. To learn more about WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY go to www.wed2005.org
On the local level, a bike ride has been planned by the ENERGY INDEPENDENCE/ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY arm of the QuadCity Progressive Action for the Common Good group. It will be Sunday, June 5th at Le Claire Park downtown Davenport/River Drive & Harrison St. at 1pm. There will be a display of solar ovens in use after the ride. Bring your family, friends, and a brown bag lunch. We will also be having our next meeting Monday evening June 6th at the Davenport Public Library 6:30pm. The Library is on Main St. between 3rd & 4th Sts.
Some of the actions we are working on locally are:
1. Discussion of the next step that the Isle of Capri will take in trying to gain a permit from the Corps of Engineers to build a 10 story hotel directly on the riverfront in downtown Davenport next to Lock & Dam 15. The Davenport City Council this past week voted to clear the way for this to happen;
2. Advising the City of Davenport to purchase an environmentally friendly bus with recent money received for an additional bus;
3. Working with the Waste Commission of Scott County to place recyclable bins at parks in the county;
4. Selling items specifically reusable, e-positive bags at local farmers markets possibly with a logo depicting our sustainability group;
5. Creating a pamphlet that describes sustainability & its importance.
So, as you can see we have a lot to do. Have you been keeping in step this week in using less energy, growing your own foods, using less pesticides/herbicides, recycling, or educating others on the value of these behaviors? Just one more bit of information, this about keeping the felines safer.
PROTECT YOUR CAT
On the www.epa.gov site I found today a warning for those who may have purchased from HARTZ MOUNTAIN CORP. one of their products. Apparently several versions of their FLEA & TICK DROPS FOR CATS & KITTENS have been found to cause HAIR LOSS, TREMORS, AND/OR DEATH and are being phased out. If your kitten is less than 1 year old or under 6 pounds or over 13 years old they are most susceptible. So check it out.
Another piece of advice on the site is a number to call for EMERGENCY OIL OR CHEMICAL SPILLS : 800.424.8802
Also, their POISON CONTROL CENTER number is 800.222.1222
Time to get involved in your local community to see how prepared everyone is in case of emergencies. You not only can become more knowledgeable, but you will meet new people and find out what it means to be part of that community.
As always, practice CPR to save our earth: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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