I signed up in March for a class that resulted in an “Earthkeeper” certificate this month, one of many programs created for the now majority of Americans who are concerned about human damage to the Earth, which is also damaging animal and plant life on the planet.
As climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe points out in Saving Us, the planet is doing just fine, however much we mess about with its surface. It is we who are in danger, along with other plant and animal life.
Polling now shows that more than half of Americans consider themselves either “concerned” or “alarmed” about climate change. Many of us are out there studying the subject, in a wide variety of classes and programs, figuring out how to become part of the solution. The good news is, human ingenuity is now busily at work finding solutions, and there are many.
My Earthkeeper program had a spiritual side to it, unsurprisingly, as I’m a retired United Methodist pastor. Like every scientific tradition, every faith tradition is increasingly alert to the danger to humanity now caused by human burning of fossil fuels, pollution, and deforestation.
In Gettysburg, local musicians, gardeners, and faith leaders are gathering together for Grieving and Growing, an Interfaith Earth Day service on April 23rd at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of the United Lutheran Seminary. Join us, as we learn more about how to be part of the solution.
This is nothing new to you Adams County gardeners, who support the Land Conservancy, the Watershed Alliance, and so many green ventures. Local South Mountain partnership consisted of 47 green groups and businesses, at last count.
Earth Day is a time to grieve our losses, then join in learning and planting. The April 23rd event will be led by local musicians Will Lane, Tom Jolin, Jesse Holt, and Suzanne Hubbard, and will be followed by optional flower planting.
The ingenuity of Gettysburg Green groups is also putting together hand-outs on green legislation, and ways to reduce that carbon footprint, both individually and as a community.
Join us. We are all Earthkeepers.
Judy Young jsmithyoung@gmail.com is a member of the Green Gettysburg Book Club.
Judy Young is a retired United Methodist pastor. She convenes Gettysburg for
Gun Sense and the Adams County branch of the PA Prison Society, and is a
member of the Green Gettysburg Book Club.