The lovely sunny days without any rain have their downside: wildfires. Not just in south Jersey but in the Canadian Maritimes, resulting in haze and lower air quality in the Northeast. Smoke and air pollution do not respect boundaries, whether across states or countries. What we all need is a good rainstorm to dampen the fires.
Of course, there are parts of the country that had too much rain, and as a result of rain and tropical storms homeowner’s insurance has spiked. People are still putting their lives back together from Ida that resulted in so many deaths in New Jersey and New York. And as we now enter the hurricane season, we wonder about the Jersey Shore.
We don’t usually get the battering that other areas of the country, like Florida. And the recent Supreme Court decision stripping protections in the Clean Water Act provides a real temptation for rampant wetlands development. Wetlands help to protect us against rampaging forest fires. It’s all connected; however, the Court seems to worry more about so called “property rights” than our environment. They will rue the day.
Prayer for the Day
Hearing stories of terrible fires, we shudder and pray,
For our memories of large scale destruction stay in our minds;
We know, O God, that irresponsible decisions and actions abound,
Resulting in devastation of your creation in the name of greed.
Grant, O Merciful One, that we renew our commitments to you,
To protect our world over the influence of money and greed.
In the name of the One who walked among the lilies,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
This decision [Sackett v. EPA] will cause incalculable harm. Communities across the country will pay the price. Congress needs to act to restore protections for all our waters.
- Manish Bapna, National Resources Defense Council
The court’s ruling is a serious blow to wetlands, which are essential to clean, affordable drinking water, public health, and flood protection. Today’s ruling puts rivers and people at greater risk from pollution and harm.
- Tom Kiernan, American Rivers
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41: 18