We’re coming close to the end of April, once designated as “Earth Month,” during which time we are now witnessing the dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency by its new leader, Lee Zeldin, who has cancelled programs to protect communities such as Cancer Alley in Louisiana and eliminated scientific studies on harm caused by pollution.
In spite of damage caused by train derailments, floods, and fires, Zeldin has put forth a vision for the EPA that has little, if anything, to do with the danger to public health from pollution, such as the Colstrip coal plant in Montana, cleaning superfund sites in New Jersey as well as North Carolina, to mention just two areas needing serious work.
Climate change. What is that? Just a way to keep American industry from moving forward, the new EPA says. Although many of us will not live long enough to see the real damage caused by the new regime catering to the greed of polluting business, our children and grandchildren will.
Prayer for the Day
We say we marvel in your creation, O Source of life,
We say that we marvel in creation’s miracles,
But our actions belie our words.
For, in truth, we look to the earth only for what it can give us.
Your creation is more than what we take of your precious resources,
Help us to see that all life is connected through your hand,
In the name of the One who calls us to task,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It’s quite shocking to have an administrator who in announcing his own vision did not even mention protecting public health and the environment.
Daniel C. Esty, environmental policy professor, Yale Law School
We have to take climate change seriously. It’s costing us lives. It’s costing us livelihoods, businesses, billions of dollars, and destabilizing a number of countries around the world.
Christine Todd Whitman, Former EPA Administrator
Listen, you who are deaf; and you who are blind, look up and see!
Who is blind but my servant, or deaf like my messenger whom I send?
Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the Lord?
He sees many things, but does not observe them, his ears are open but does not hear
Isaiah 42: 18-20