Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with sustainable change
Dodd Galbreath encourages the Lipscomb community to seek societal change to preserve the beautiful world God designed
Cate Zenzen |
Earth Day will look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean the holiday should be any less celebrated. Dodd Galbreath, director of the Institute of Sustainable Practice Graduate Program at Lipscomb University, shared some history on the observance and ways in which the Lipscomb community can celebrate the day’s 50th anniversary from home.
Earth Day was created in 1970 to help promote public consciousness about the state of our planet. According to EarthDay.org, Senator Gaylord Nelson, inspired by the student anti-war movement, started educating young people in ways to improve the health of the world. Following the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to take place every April, on a weekday between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize student participation.
Senator Nelson recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize these campus teach-ins. Hayes expanded the movement by building a national staff of 85 people to promote events across the country. The nationwide observance led thousands to organize protests against the deterioration of the environment.
“Prior to this time, freshwater rivers actually caught on fire due to large quantities of flammable pollutants being discharged into them. One former coworker told me that the air was so polluted in Chattanooga that he would come outside to his car and it would be sometimes covered in ash. Litter was very common on our highways and waterways and our national symbol, the bald eagle, was on the verge of extinction due to toxic pesticide use,” said Galbreath.
Galbreath stresses the importance of working together to make an impact. He recommends buying energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, avoiding the purchase of plastics, and mowing less grass to allow our yards to soak up flood water. Most of all, he encourages prayer and petition for societal change, as the actions of an individual do not make up for our global footprint as a society.
“As a Christian, I am reminded of Romans 1:20 which says, ‘For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.’ To me, this means that we have an obligation to protect and honor creation so that others can see and understand God better from what has been made,” said Galbreath.
Galbreath also points out the significant changes we have already seen in the world just from a short pause in our daily lives. The clearer water in the canals of Venice, Italy and the decrease in air pollution over major cities are just two examples of how much impact our behaviors have on the environment. Our normal busy lives make it easy to forget how the actions of today damage the future of ourselves and others.
In the past, Lipscomb University has hosted green business summits and chapels to encourage a more sustainable way of life. This year, the College of Leadership and Public Service, Institute for Sustainable Practice will instead take part in a global webinar for both children and adults.
The first, titled “Earth Day for Kids and Adults: Earth Mimicry - Nature Inspired Solutions,” will be hosted by Janet’s Planet, Explore Mars and the Institute for Sustainable Practice/College of Leadership and Public Service on April 22 at 9 AM CDT/10 EDT. To join, click this link. Meeting ID: 955 5313 3053 and Password: Galbreath.
Additionally, on Thursday, April 23, prospective graduate students and professionals are invited to watch a live Earth systems class take place on-line. Click this link to join.
On this Earth Day, Galbreath encourages us to make changes to appreciate and sustain the beauty in God’s design.
“After all, what inspires us most in photos for screensavers and inspirational cards or posters? Most often these photos are of nature, grand and glorious wildlife, sky, space, land and water,” said Galbreath.
The Institute for Sustainable Practice in the College of Leadership and Public Service at Lipscomb University offers undergraduate and graduate programs to teach students the science of sustainability. Graduates are equipped to help both businesses and people transform careless behaviors into mindful habits that focus on the triple bottom line: people, profit and planet. Taught by pioneering entrepreneurs, innovative scientists, creative engineers, visionary policy makers and other sustainable leaders, students learn how to make a difference in their communities and the world.