While Earth should be appreciated and respected everyday, when I read about Earth Day celebration, I find remarkable that before 1970, there was no legal or regulatory mechanism to protect our environment. The massive anti-war protests in the 60s, bringing to light our planet’s vulnerability, catalyzed the first Earth Day in the spring of 1970 where millions of people took part, paving the way to the current legislation and regulatory measures. Even with these types of actions, the impact of humans on the natural environment is colossal, manifested mainly in the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution, major global challenges of our century.
Many people, industries, organizations are acting to help resolve these urgent challenges, through direct action or advocacy. One of these organizations is the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to use rigorous, independent science to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Thus, using technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future, the UCS combats climate change and its manifestations, develops sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport, and ensures the solutions advance racial and economic equity, among others.
For this Earth Day/Month I would like to direct you to the UCS’ “The Climate Action Button”. I think this is a great resource where you can find easy climate change actions that you can take right now. From voting for representatives that hold our values… or demanding those in power to implement those urgent changes… while we adapt what we eat, wear, buy; what we plant in our gardens… to help as well… Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose… No action is too small…
Also, the i3C Artists Group has invited a UCS climate crisis expert, Rachel Licker, to speak as part of our current exhibit at CAA @ Canal. Do not miss the “Climate AND Change” presentation on Thursday April 27 (6-7 pm)! -Register here.
And regarding Art:
· I hope you get to visit “Inspiring Change for the Climate Crisis (i3C) at CAA @ Canal”, on view until May 12th, 2023. For more info, visit cambridgeart.org. Closing Reception: Friday, May 12 (5-7 pm)
· Attend this exciting virtual programming: “Recycling and Creativity: Changing the Journey of Our “Stuff” to Help the Planet”: Virtual presentation from i3C Artist Yulia Shtern - Tuesday May 2nd (6-7 pm) - Register here
· I hope you enjoy my painting “No Planet B”, featured in this blog post. Contact me if you want to have a virtual or in-person visit to my Cambridge studio.
Let’s continue to care for our Earth, however we can, wherever we are… Every day…
Image: “No Planet B”, acrylic, acrylic pen, ink pen, and water-soluble crayons on found canvas, 8 x 10 inches, available and on view in The Umbrella Arts Center until this Sunday April 23rd, 2023.