Well, another Earth Day (April 22) has come and gone without so much as a peep.

Given the fact that an overwhelming majority of scientists who study the earth’s ecosystems continue to warn us about how the rapidly declining environment is perhaps the major challenge presently faced by us earthlings in this new millennium, I find the almost complete lack of media and community attention to Earth Day very puzzling indeed. In fact, the World Watch Institute (www.earthwatch.org), the most prestigious and reputable organization currently cataloging information about the planetary environment, has made the following observation in many of their publications. This observation is that we on this little ball in space have about a 30 to 40 year window to get our act together in terms of switching to a sustainable life style. The consequences of our failure to do so will put the next generation in the midst of one of the most tragic economic and social crises ever faced by humanity, as the earth’s vital ecosystems crash.

Maybe all this isn’t true. I certainly hope it isn’t. I hope these scientists are just plain loco. But I wouldn’t hedge our bets on it by continuing on our merry way. No, I wouldn’t do that.

With that said now, let me continue on, if I may, and briefly cite, according to World Watch’s State of the World 2000 report, what should be front page information about the Earth’s environment -- and also look at what some intelligent actions might be that we can undertake in order to avert disaster and create a truly healthy planet in which to live. (which helps WV, too!)

Currently, the seven most serious threats to earth include population growth (now at 6.1 billion and rising – an increase of 2.5 billion from 1950), rising temperature, falling water tables, shrinking cropland per person, collapsing fisheries, shrinking forests, and the loss of plant and animal species. Of these, the two most important trends to address -- with nothing less than the energy of a military campaign -- are population and global warming. It we do not achieve stabilization in these two areas, you can almost forget about making any headway in the others.

Getting control of population involves a massive reproductive health education program – especially in the "hot spots" of the SubSahara, Pakistan, and India. [Editor’s interjection -- just heard that the population of India had reached one billion!] It is also of critical importance to provide more education to women in these regions (numerous studies now clearly show that the higher the education level women achieve, the less likely they are to have as many children, if any). Getting a hand on global warming can be accomplished by switching from a fossil fuel (coal, oil, and gas) based economy in developed countries to a solar energy-wind-hydrogen based economy. The technology for this already exists and is being used successfully on a small scale in many parts of the globe. It’s just a matter now of making this evolution a priority on national and local agendas.

Now, what can you or your family do in the way of addressing these two major environmental issues? Well, here are some real good tried and true ideas:

1. If you are starting a family, limit your offspring to one or two. If you want more, adopt.

2. Contribute to the United Nations Fund For Population – C/0 Vernon Meade, Chief or Resource Development, UNFPA, 220 E. 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017.

3. Write to the President and to your congresspersons and ask them to support or introduce legislation to restore the United State’s contribution to the United Nation’s Fund For Population (incredibly, the United States’ Congress withdrew all of it’s funding for that program in 1998!).

This involves limiting your use of coal and oil (natural gas doesn’t produce as much carbon dioxide per equal amount when it is burned)

Buy very high milage cars or purchase one of the new gasoline- electric "hybrids" now being made by Toyota and Honda.

Substitute Compact Florescent Bulbs for your present light bulbs. These burn much less electricity and they last much longer (6- 7) years – which clearly offsets their higher purchase price. Most electricity on the United States, and certainly in our region, is produced by the burning fossil fuels – notably coal. Compact Florescent Bulbs lower the burn rate and thus the rate at which our atmosphere is being choked up with Carbon Dioxide.

Weatherize your house. If your house is heated directly or indirectly by burning oil or coal, this cuts down on their use.

Switch to geothermal, solar, or natural gas as a major heating source for your home or office.

Limit, as much as possible, the electricity you use by turning off lights and appliances when they are not being used.

Purchase appliances that are certified as energy efficient.

Write to the President and your congresspersons asking that they support legislation, programs, and policies which encourage a switch over from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources (solar, wind, hydrogen) as a basis for economy- both in our country and worldwide.

The above is, obviously, a very short list. There are, of course, many other ways which Voice readers can contribute -- and are contributing -- to this effort. But these seem to be some of the most important at the moment. Celebrate the meaning of Earth Day by trying them out!

And here’s a very serious thought to close with: Just think -- if only half the people in this country would make these changes, we could very well change the present course of world history. (Well, I guess we can dream about it, anyway).

Nuff said.