Save a Butterfly, Save a Planet GUEST COMMENTARY
By Joe Haworth
L ife on this planet probably began around 3 billion years ago. Our most ancient ancestors may have begun their existence in an undersea sulfur vent. We don’t really know. The evolving life created organisms that produce the oxygen we breathe. They produced the atmosphere we live in. And now we are trying to keep that atmosphere from
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being too dangerous for much of the life on this planet. More than 50 years ago, the Endangered Species Act was passed. Little did we know that it might someday apply to us. Not since the invention of the atomic bomb, have we had the threat to our very existence stare us in the face. The buildup of carbon dioxide and methane in our atmosphere, primarily caused by our use of fossil fuels for energy, has reached a possible tipping point. We humans need energy production for survival. It powers our very existence; however, we have reached a time at which we need to find new sources of energy that are not so damaging to our planet’s oceans and atmosphere. We are experiencing the beginnings of climate change much earlier than we anticipated. The obvious manifestation is weather whiplash causing extreme heat; fire and drought; extreme storms, causing floods; and rising oceans from melting glaciers. I know, it sounds like it can be handled, that we can adapt to it with science. However, the massive damage that could be done to the human and animal kingdom could be prevented, or at least reduced, with a sufficient investment in alternative energy sources; and preparations for controlling these environmental effects. We’re not going to get off Scot-free, but the old saying, “a stitch in time saves nine” reminds us that money spent now is dwarfed by the amount we will spend repairing the damage. A trillion dollars now saves tens of trillions in the future. For the sake of the creatures on this planet, including us, we need to take action now. We should begin by maximizing our efforts in conservation of energy, water, and other natural resources. This is always the first basic step in reducing our planetary impact, our carbon footprint, that is propelling climate change. We all hope science will continue to progress in cleaner ways to produce the energy we all count on. You’ve heard about renewables and sustainability. These will become the baseline steps for animal and human survival. If you need motivation, just take a look at the creatures in
this edition. Think about how long it took nature to make these incredible
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creatures take shape. Picture that beautiful Monarch butterfly that you first saw as a child. Our children are creatures too, and they need to know what steps to take so they have hope for their future. Don’t rob them of that. Demonstrate the “planetary manners” that can improve their lives. Then, teach them the basic rules of conservation and sustainability. They are the ones who have to face this future environment, and they deserve to know how to contribute positively to their coming world. If we or they freeze in place, like deer in in the headlights of an oncoming car, and don’t act, we will get clobbered by a degrading atmosphere, and the changes it will cause. There is a wonderful program specifically designed to inspire kids to take action. It’s called Think Earth at www.thinkearth. org . The objective, give kids hope for the future by taking action now. The lessons, grades K-6, take as little as one hour a day for one week per year. Basic conservation is at the core: save water; save energy; don’t waste; conserve natural resources; recycle, reduce, reuse… Go online, Think Earth is free. Hope is the best resource we can give our kids and taking action creates hope. Thank you, National Geographic, for reminding us what we could lose. All those pictures of nature through all those years of your publication show us it’s not just that endangered butterfly, but a planet full of critters, including us.
FISHING
We’re looking forward to seeing you there! We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
COME FISH WITH US. COME FISH WITH US.
Crystal Lake San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, CA Crystal Lake San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, CA
Director Ed Chavez Secretary Division 3
Director Jennifer Santana
Director Anthony R. Fellow Vice President Division 1
Director Charles M. Treviño Division 2
Director Katarina Garcia
Director Ed Chavez Secretary Division 3
Director Jennifer Santana President Division 5 President Division 5
Director Anthony R. Fellow Vice President Division 1
Director Charles M. Treviño Division 2
Director Katarina Garcia Treasurer Division 4 Treasurer Division 4
For more information call 626/443-2297 or visit www.upperwater.org For more information call 626/443-2297 or visit www.upperwater.org
For more information call 626/443-2297 or visit www.upperwater.org For more information call 626/443-2297 or visit www.upperwater.org
22 | Earthday 2025
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