Earth Month Encourages Eco Awareness

by Abigail Knowles Wolfe (BPRW)

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a fairly well known national observance to most Americans. Yet, as our natural resources become more depleted and global warming and environmental concerns take the forefront in our national and international conscience, it seems that more time needs to be dedicated to advocacy for our precious natural environment. April 2008 will witness Earth Month and a comprehensive effort towards ecological awareness in our own communities and throughout the world, acknowledged for 30 days instead of one.

The term carbon footprint is used a great deal at present yet many individuals may be unaware of its meaning. A means of measuring the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, a carbon footprint measures human impact on the world via units of carbon dioxide. Americans produce one of the largest carbon footprints in the world due to our over production of meat and love of large cars for transportation, therefore awareness of the things we can all do to cut back on our negative global impact is essential for Earth Month 2008.

Living “green” means being aware of the national and international initiatives set in place to restore our natural environment and its health and to support initiatives such as Earth Day and Earth Month. The Amazon rainforest has been described as the lungs of our planet, producing more clean, pristine, breathable oxygen than anywhere else on earth. Global warming negatively affects everyone living on this planet just as much as losing the rainforests.

Scientists and politicians alike are concerned with environmental issues for a reason; our welfare as human beings living on this planet revolves around a healthy ecosystem. The African American voice must be heard in the coming years, supporting clean air and a healthy life for everyone. Advocacy initiatives are available in the national and local arenas. Living “green” affects everything from our air and water quality to the nutrients in our foods to the futures of our children and grandchildren yet to come.