Fall and the Planet

Fall officially started last Saturday (09-23-23).  I’m always happy for the change in temperature, less humidity, and of course the fabulous flowers that are among the rewards of summer - DAHLIAS, cockscomb, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and so many others.

I’m writing as a morning deluge winds down.  We’ve had to put pails around and towels all over the floor. (The gutters were overwhelmed.)  We are lucky.  I’m thinking about the men and women (and children) who stand in line for breakfast and lunch outside CHiPs Food Pantry on 4th Ave in Brooklyn. (I volunteer there - it is SO easy - if you’re interested check them out.)

This “monsoon” is, and will continue to be, a regular occurrence.  As will searing heat waves, apocalyptic smoke from uncontrollable fires. And worse.  Which is to say, forget 2030 or 2050. The warming of the planet is negatively impacting our lives NOW and it is only getting worse.  And if you are reading this, you are one of the fortunate ones.

So what to do.  Despair is not an option.  And never getting on a plane is not either (at least not for me - too many friends in faraway places.) Composting helps.  Supporting local farmers for sure. And local retailers. (Imagine life without all those Amazon boxes!) 

On the BBC World Service this morning, I heard a man talking about the importance of really appreciating life around you. Notice what’s growing. Learn the names of plants. (I use an app called NatureID.) Be curious about the particular ecosystem that exists (and changes) in your backyard or local park (squirrels, cats, birds, bugs, fruit trees…). 

These seem like very small actions but observing nature on a daily basis is the first step in really caring about the environment.  Psychological research suggests that place attachment–the meaningful bonds that occur between people and their environment (Scannell & Gifford, 2010) is a key factor in motivating environmental behavior,

There are SO many nonprofits fighting for the big changes that require legislation and geo-political agreements.  Support one or more as you are able. However, working towards a global ETHOS of protecting the earth seems to me to be the key.