Tomorrow will mark 50 years since Denis Hayes, a twenty-five year old student at Harvard Kennedy School, dropped out to become a grass-roots activist and organized a nationwide rally on this day in 1970. That Earth Day event gave birth to a revolution by environmentalists who were up against many issues that plagued the world like air quality, global warming, endangered animal and bird species, oil spills, our carbon footprint, fossil fuel usage, forest fires, drought, etc.
Denis Hayes speaking at The First Earth Day rally, 50 years ago in Washington, DC. PC : The Bullitt Foundation
The coronavirus has brought us to a grinding halt. In the future, we will need to prepare for pandemics much like we prepare for wars. In the recent weeks since the S.I.P, we noticed how the air quality has improved due to reduced greenhouse emissions, but we need to remember that once life gets back to normal, we will see the emissions go back to the old, unhealthy levels. I have noticed more wildlife and rare birds on my runs in the neighborhood than before.
When we go back to school and work we will need to remember the clean air we enjoyed for a moment and pay attention to what we can do to make a positive impact in the wake of this abhorrent pandemic. Corporations, educational institutions and local city councils must work civically at the community, city and state level to make people understand what solutions are available and how to advance engagement. They have to make a pledge to be fossil fuel free in the next few decades and double down on energy reduction.
As for me, I hope to start the conversation about growing our own food as a way to connect with our ecosystem. The average food travels about 1,500 miles before it reaches our plates, losing much of the nutrition. Most of that food is then wasted and ends up as food scraps. Growing food in our own homes could help save energy, conserve water, reduce waste, and reduce trips to the grocery stores. Ideally we can start with our backyards, patios, and balconies and then work with our city council to create learning gardens on unused vacant lots.
Picture Credit : www.seedsofchange.com
To celebrate 50 years of Earth Day, I had a virtual call with my garden club members. I showed them what I grew, the evolution of plants and vegetables, the lessons we learned, the importance of homegrown foods and how you can have fun while doing good for the environment. Every plant or seed planted drives us closer to a sustainable, more self-reliant, and healthy local food system. It drove me to be more connected with the outdoors and recognize plants, which produce vegetables that I consume on a regular basis.
There is infinite power in growing healthy, tangible food. While we are quarantined, put on those gardening gloves, and get ready to heal yourself, heal the planet and build a strong community around healthy food. While you are it, check out the pictures below from my Zoom meeting and scroll to the bottom to meet the youngest member of my garden club, Tvisha, a kindergartner, who along with her mother, Maha, is growing food vertically on their balcony. So start ‘em young. A five year old will probably teach you a thing or two like creating an outstanding time-lapse video on your smartphone while they learn about germination and plant growth.
