Yesterday a consortium of federal agencies released a sobering report on the impact of the climate crisis we face on sea level rise along the Eastern seaboard. That includes us, New Jersey. The forecast is that the sea will rise a foot or so more by 2050. In addition, hurricanes and coastal storms will bring more flood waters inland. That will include West Virginia represented by the holdout Senator flush with coal money.
In this same week a coalition of environmental groups called on the Governor and State Legislature to create a program to preserve the few old growth forests we have in New Jersey. Their call should resonate with the rest.of the Northeast, if not the Nation. Old growth forests with their mature trees capture more carbon than smaller trees.
The threats to mature forests are not only wildfires’ a major threat is encroaching development. Just look at the clear-cutting for so-called “luxury” homes in Middletown alone built to satisfy the profits of developers. What kind of future are we creating for the next generation and those that follow?
Prayer for the Day
Fountain of life, together with all creation we praise you
With gliding eagles, mysterious moths, and new growth;
We are humbled by the variety of your creation, the world about us.
The pampas grass waving in the wind, and the egrets at the river’s bank
May we praise your holy name by caring for your creation around us,
Protecting it from the developer’s greed infesting our communities.
In the name of him who walked among the lilies,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money,
- Attributed to a Native American
If this world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people whose love for life is even greater than their fear.
- Joanna Macy, environmentalist and scholar
The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers;
The heavens languish together with the earth.
The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws,
Violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24: 4-5