#earthday — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #earthday, aggregated by home.social.
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Menjaga Bumi untuk Generasi Mendatang: Tanggung Jawab Bersama dalam Konservasi Lingkungan
Di era modern yang ditandai dengan perkembangan teknologi dan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang pesat, isu lingkungan menjadi salah satu tantangan terbesar yang dihadapi umat manusia. Perubahan iklim, berkurangnya kawasan hutan, pencemaran udara dan air, serta menurunnya keanekaragaman hayati merupakan dampak nyata dari aktivitas manusia yang kurang memperhatikan keseimbangan alam. Di tengah kondisi tersebut, kesadaran akan pentingnya konservasi lingkungan menjadi semakin relevan. Foto ini […] -
slivers
dreaming… a random bit
** in the ending of The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenges from WordPress, here’s your Sunday Weekly Photo Prompt: travel **
medicine buddha mantra: Tayata Om Bekandze Bekandze Maha Bekandze Radza Samudgate Soha
health, wealth, and prosperity: Om Vasudhare Svaha
Rate this:
#7thAvenue #advertisement #april22 #avenues #billboards #blueSkies #buildings #city #cityDwellers #cityLiving #cityscapes #cloud #clouds #collage #dailyPost #earthDay #empireStateBuilding #goldenHour #liveCollage #livecollage #manhattan #newYorkCity #nyc #photography #postaday #seventhAvenue #skyscrapers #slivers #streets #timesSquare #weeklyPhotoChallenge -
Join me in planting trees for free on Treeapp: https://thetreeapp.org/referral?code=UMIBXG
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#sécheresse et #forêt en #Europe
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/products-eurostat-news/w/edn-20260422-1 [ 🇬🇧 traduction automatique possible] -
Alle Räder stehen still, wenn die Sonne es so will
Nicht ganz.
Wenn die #Sonne satt scheint und die #PVAnlagen kräftig einspeisen, werden die #Windräder abgeregelt - bis zum Stillstand. Die #Netzbetreiber können mit dem Geschenk der Sonne nichts Gescheites anfangen, nicht einmal speichern, um #Dunkelflauten zu überbrücken.
#KatherinaReiche unterstützt einen #Speicher-Ausbau auch nicht. Sie hat nur #Erdgas im Sinn.Heute wieder erlebt:
Bis etwa 16:30 Uhr standen alle #Windanlagen in dieser Region regungslos da. Dann durften sie loslegen und zeigen, daß die Luft sich auch während einer Schwachwindphase auf Nabenhöhe ordentlich bewegt.
Unsere #Solaranlagen zeigen bei Sonnenuntergang, was heute am #EarthDay los war.
#Solarthermie:Der #Warmwasserspeicher ist auf 73°C aufgeheizt.
#Solarstrom (#PV):1. Ostanlage (Bj. 2025, moderne #Bifazial-Technik, Ausrichtung 80°):
17,6 kWh bzw. 3,7 kWh/kWp2. Westanlage (Bj. 1999/2000, damalige Polykristallin-Technik, Ausrichtung 260°):
11,1kWh bzw. 5,05kWh/kWp
Lufttemperatur um 19 Uhr: 16°C -
Happy Earth Day!
Here's my piece for dotzines' Earth Love 2026 free Madoka/Earth Day themed zine.
dotzines.itch.io/earth-love-2...
There's a lot of beautiful pieces alongside mine; take a look.#MadokaMagica #PuellaMagiMadokaMagica #PMMM #AnimeArt #FanArt #MakioArt #MastoArt #Art #FanDay #EarthDay #EarthLove2026
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Join us in celebrating Earth Day at DIAS 🌍
Today, we’re shining a light on the vital work of our Geophysics Section. Our researchers are helping us better understand natural hazards, climate systems, and the dynamic forces shaping our planet.
As we mark Earth Day, we’re reminded that advancing knowledge is key to protecting our planet for the future.
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We’re very excited to be part of this year’s #EarthRaise, meaning that as from 12 noon TODAY (until 12 noon 29 April) every donation to our campaign will be Matched £ for £.
wordforest.org/earthraise
#LettersToTheEarth #EarthDay #DoubleYourImpact #MatchFunding #Nature #TreesAreTheKey
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«Tutelarla non è un’opinione, è la condizione stessa della nostra esistenza»
(Slow Food)
#22aprile #GiornatadellaTerra #EarthDay
https://www.slowfood.it/comunicati-stampa/giornata-della-terra-slow-food-tutelarla-non-e-unopinione/ -
🌎 World Earth Day 🌱
The Earth is what we all have in common. 💫
Let’s come together to make it cleaner, greener, and better than ever before. 🌿💚
.
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#WorldEarthDay #EarthDay #Earth #savetheplanet #SaveNature #ProtectOurPlanet #SustainableFuture #पृथ्वीदिवस #GreenPlanet #SustainableLiving #GoGreen #myfirstcollege -
Earth Day
Giornata della Terra torna anche nel 2026 con un’energia nuova e un tema che parla chiaro:
Restore & Rebalance
un invito globale a ripensare il nostro rapporto con il pianeta. Se nel articolo del 2025 — che i lettori possono ritrovare qui: ⇓
https://perfettamentechic.com/2025/04/22/giornata-della-terra-earth-day/
si raccontavano le origini dell’Earth Day e il suo spirito pionieristico, quest’anno il focus si sposta sulle azioni concrete e sulle innovazioni ambientali che stanno ridisegnando il futuro.
🌍 Cosa c’è di nuovo nel 2026
- Raddoppiano le iniziative locali: dalle “strade verdi temporanee” nelle città europee ai laboratori di riciclo creativo per famiglie, l’Earth Day diventa sempre più un evento diffuso e partecipato.
- Debutto delle “Eco-Pledge Cards”: una campagna internazionale che invita ogni cittadino a scegliere un impegno personale per l’ambiente, da conservare per un anno.
- Tecnologie green protagoniste: nel 2026 si parla molto di bioplastica di nuova generazione, capace di degradarsi in poche settimane, e dei primi prototipi di micro-filtri domestici per ridurre le microplastiche nelle acque reflue.
- Focus sul Mediterraneo: l’Italia partecipa con un programma speciale dedicato alla tutela delle coste e alla riduzione dell’inquinamento marino, con eventi da Trieste a Palermo.
- Ritorno dei “Citizen Scientists”: migliaia di volontari raccolgono dati su biodiversità urbana, qualità dell’aria e presenza di insetti impollinatori, contribuendo a un grande database globale.
🌱 Un filo rosso con il 2025
Se l’articolo precedente raccontava la storia e il significato dell’Earth Day, il 2026 rappresenta la sua evoluzione naturale: meno celebrazione simbolica, più azione quotidiana. Il messaggio è semplice e potente:
la sostenibilità non è un evento annuale, ma un’abitudine da coltivare ogni giorno.
✨ Perché questa giornata conta ancora
Perché, nonostante i progressi, il pianeta continua a chiedere attenzione. E l’Earth Day rimane un’occasione preziosa per fermarsi, respirare e ricordare che ogni gesto — anche il più piccolo — può fare la differenza.
Autore: Lynda Di Natale Fonte: web Immagine: AI
#abitaregreen #ambienteitaliano #ambientepulito #amolaterra #AmorePerLaNatura #ariadinatura #arteenatura #artigianatosostenibile #bellezzaalnaturale #cambiareabitudini #chicecologico #consapevolezzaAmbientale #curaambientale #designnaturale #EarthDay #EcoConsapevolezza #ecofriendly #ecostyle #EducazioneAmbientale #eleganzaverde #fiorichic #fiorirecolcuore #futuroverde #gentilezzaverde #gestichic #giornatadellaterra #giornatamondialedellaterra #greenerfuture #impegnoverde #inarmoniacolnatura #italianegreen #madreterra #minimalgreen #minimalistgreenlife #modaconsapevole #modasostenibile #mondoverde #naturachic #naturapoetica #naturaviva #natureinspired #pianetasostenibile #pianetaverde #protectourplanet #respiralaterra #respirolibero #rifiorire #rispettoambientale #salvailpianeta #scelteverdi #Sostenibilità #sostenibilmente #stilediterra #stilegreen #sustainabilitymatters #terraèvita #vitaecologica #viverebio #viviverde -
#EarthDay Celebration at #DescansoGardens
April 22 @ 1:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Location:
1418 Descanso Drive
#LaCañadaFlintridge, CA 91011Price: Included with admission or membership
Admission prices:
Adult $18.00
Senior $14.00
Student $14.00
Child $8.00
Child under 3 - Free"Join us for a fun and inspiring Earth Day celebration! Explore creative ways to protect our planet and help it thrive through hands-on workshops and activities all around Descanso Gardens.
Included with admission or membership, RSVP is required for the #KnitwearMending #Workshop and the #DIY #SoilBioremediation Workshop.
#SeedNest Creation Station
Create California #NativeWildflower 'Seed Nests' to plant in a pot, flowerbed, wild patch in your lawn or an entire meadow
Rose Garden Pavilion: 1-4pm. Drop in anytime! While supplies last
#RepairCafe Pasadena
Bring your broken clothing, appliances, bikes, jewelry, electronics, and more to get help fixing them to make them last longer and keep them out of the landfill
Gathering Room A: 1-4pm. Drop in anytime! Free and open to the public
Knitwear Mending Workshop with Nico SorensenBring a sweater or knit item with a hole and learn basic surface darning and decorative mending techniques to give it new life and personal flair
Magnolia Court (across from Center Circle): 1-4pm. RSVP required. Limited spots available
DIY Soil Bioremediation Workshop with Dr. Daisy Rosas Vargas
Hands-on demo to create a #mycelium #straw #wattle filled with spent #OysterMushroom substrate and housed in remnant fabrics such as burlap or canvas. These wattles help to heal soil in gardens while capturing runoff
Main Lawn: 4-5pm. RSVP required. Limited spots available
#Sustainability at Descanso Tours
Find out more about the many ways Descanso works with our natural environment to care for the plants, animals, and people that live in and visit the gardens
Meets at Center Circle: 1-2pm, 2:30-3:30pm#IndigenousHistory of Music with Natural Materials Performance + Presentation with Christopher Garcia
Come close out Earth Day by experiencing #IndigenousMusic and the environmentalist history behind it
Amphitheater 5-6:15pm "FMI:
https://www.descansogardens.org/event/earth-day-2026/#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #EarthDayExtravaganza #EarthDayEvents
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#London - 🌍 #EarthDay #CraftSession at #WoodStreetLibrary
Tuesday, April 21 • 4 PM - 5 PM
Wood Street
#1 London E17 3HBFree event, Age: 5+
All children must be accompanied and supported by their adults."Join us at the library as we celebrate Earth Day with a creative and family‑friendly craft activity. This event is a great opportunity for children and families to learn about caring for our planet while enjoying hands‑on, #EcoThemedCrafts in a relaxed and welcoming space. Whether you’re passionate about the environment or simply enjoy crafting together, everyone is invited to take part and celebrate our shared planet."
#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #LondonEngland #Crafting #KidCrafts #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule!
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#London - 🌍 #EarthDay #CraftSession at #WoodStreetLibrary
Tuesday, April 21 • 4 PM - 5 PM
Wood Street
#1 London E17 3HBFree event, Age: 5+
All children must be accompanied and supported by their adults."Join us at the library as we celebrate Earth Day with a creative and family‑friendly craft activity. This event is a great opportunity for children and families to learn about caring for our planet while enjoying hands‑on, #EcoThemedCrafts in a relaxed and welcoming space. Whether you’re passionate about the environment or simply enjoy crafting together, everyone is invited to take part and celebrate our shared planet."
#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #LondonEngland #Crafting #KidCrafts #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule!
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#London - 🌍 #EarthDay #CraftSession at #WoodStreetLibrary
Tuesday, April 21 • 4 PM - 5 PM
Wood Street
#1 London E17 3HBFree event, Age: 5+
All children must be accompanied and supported by their adults."Join us at the library as we celebrate Earth Day with a creative and family‑friendly craft activity. This event is a great opportunity for children and families to learn about caring for our planet while enjoying hands‑on, #EcoThemedCrafts in a relaxed and welcoming space. Whether you’re passionate about the environment or simply enjoy crafting together, everyone is invited to take part and celebrate our shared planet."
#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #LondonEngland #Crafting #KidCrafts #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule!
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#London - 🌍 #EarthDay #CraftSession at #WoodStreetLibrary
Tuesday, April 21 • 4 PM - 5 PM
Wood Street
#1 London E17 3HBFree event, Age: 5+
All children must be accompanied and supported by their adults."Join us at the library as we celebrate Earth Day with a creative and family‑friendly craft activity. This event is a great opportunity for children and families to learn about caring for our planet while enjoying hands‑on, #EcoThemedCrafts in a relaxed and welcoming space. Whether you’re passionate about the environment or simply enjoy crafting together, everyone is invited to take part and celebrate our shared planet."
#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #LondonEngland #Crafting #KidCrafts #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule!
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#London - 🌍 #EarthDay #CraftSession at #WoodStreetLibrary
Tuesday, April 21 • 4 PM - 5 PM
Wood Street
#1 London E17 3HBFree event, Age: 5+
All children must be accompanied and supported by their adults."Join us at the library as we celebrate Earth Day with a creative and family‑friendly craft activity. This event is a great opportunity for children and families to learn about caring for our planet while enjoying hands‑on, #EcoThemedCrafts in a relaxed and welcoming space. Whether you’re passionate about the environment or simply enjoy crafting together, everyone is invited to take part and celebrate our shared planet."
#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDay2026 #LondonEngland #Crafting #KidCrafts #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule!
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12 #Recycled #Crafts for Kids to Celebrate #EarthDay
By Ally Noel, April 13, 2021
"These crafts for kids celebrate Earth Day the best way we know how—with #recycling! You don’t have to buy any extra stuff to create one of these beautiful crafts. Basic supplies like scissors, glue, and paint allow kids (and their grown-ups) to do their part to save the planet.
"Clean out that recycling bin to gather supplies for these fun Earth Day activities for kids. From glass and plastic to packaging and cardboard, there is a treasure trove of crafting material just waiting to be reused. Whether you are taking a pile of cardboard boxes to the next level or turning T-shirts into totes, these easy crafts for kids provide a little inspiration to get you going."
Read more:
https://mommypoppins.com/recycled-crafts-for-kids-earth-day-activities#SolarPunkSunday #EarthDayCrafts #Upcycling #KidsCrafts #ReduceReuseRecycle
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#BrunswickME Celebrate the outdoors on the big screen in Brunswick this #EarthDay
#EveningStarCinema will host screenings of "A Peace of Forest" from April 25 to May 1.
"EveningStar Cinema in Brunswick will celebrate Earth Day with screenings of '#APeaceOfForest,' a new nature #documentary made by Maine filmmakers about the state’s #wildlife.
"The movie theater will screen the film in the days following Earth Day, which is on April 22. There will be showings on April 25-27 and May 1.
"Husband-and-wife team Lee Ann and Thomas Mark Szelog shot the entire film within 70 acres of forest in #WhitefieldME, where they live.
" 'A Peace of Forest' is a compelling, feature-length film, celebrating the beauty and intimacy of wildlife in Maine,' according to a theater news release.
" 'This one-of-a-kind cinematic adventure showcases surprising, tender and exquisite interactions of wildlife during peaceful moments in Maine’s natural world.'
"The #Szelogs are award-winning #NaturePhotographers with 60 years of combined experience. They are also the authors of 'Our Point of View: Fourteen Years at a #MaineLighthouse' and “By a Maine River: A Year of Looking Closely.”
‘Become reacquainted with nature’s power’."" 'A Peace of Forest' premiered in summer 2024 at the #LincolnTheater in Damariscotta. The showings at the EveningStar will be the first in Brunswick.
"The film is 'a wonderful opportunity for people to become reacquainted with nature’s power,' filmmaker Lee Ann Szelog said in an interview.
"Lee Ann Szelog described the film as 'quiet and peaceful.' The filmmaking duo relied on natural sounds with minimal narration in order to transport the viewer to a forest in Maine, she said.
" 'Our hope was to create a feature-length film that people could view as if they were sitting right next to us,' Lee Ann Szelog said.
"The Szelogs achieved this by setting up photography blinds and waiting for wildlife to appear.
"The film has been shown at #LocalTheaters all over Maine, including during an event last month at the University of Southern Maine’s Hannaford Hall in Portland.
" 'Working with these local community theaters has been such an honor,' Lee Ann Szelog said.
"The #EveningStarCinema in the #TontineMall has been showing films in Brunswick since 1979. Sean Hoessli and Lindie Kuzmich took over ownership of the theater in October 2024."
Archived version:
https://archive.md/sZ6vo#SupportLocalCinemas #EarthDay2025 #Maine #MaineEvents #NatureFilms #SaveTheForest #MaineWildlife
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🗞️NEW🗞️
The April 2025 edition of our transportation newsletter, "GO Montgomery" has been released! Check out all the up-to-date transportation news happening in Montgomery County, MD
🗞️▶️ https://gomontgomery.blogspot.com/
#montgomkerycountymd #rideonbus #transportation #mdroads #mdcommuters #earthday #earthmonth #climatesmart #climitechange #mcgreenfest #capitalbikeshare #ridetheflash #biketoworkday #BTWD2025 -
On this #EarthDay, I am again reminded of this prescient quote by Aldo Leopold: "The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the pieces." ©Carl R. Englander Photo taken from Point Sublime, North Rim, #GrandCanyon #NationalPark #Arizona #AldoLeopold #Quote #NaturePhotography #PhotographersOfMastodon #Photography #Photo #Photographer #Film #Wild #Outdoors #Nature #Naturalist #Conservation #BiologicalDiversity #Biodiversity #Environment #Ecosystem #Ecology #Climate #ClimateChange
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In occasione del #22aprile - #GiornatadellaTerra MilanoUP ripropone tre volumi per riflettere sui rapporti tra uomo e #natura, #cambiamentoclimatico e #sostenibilità: Play your part, La terra che non c’è e Forest and communities.
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Oggi #22aprile, #EarthDay, è una di quelle giornate dove a trionfare è l'ipocrisia.
Se non si mette in discussione il #capitalismo, quello che ci sta portando verso il baratro, sono solo chiacchiere.
Il capitalismo, soprattutto questo ultra liberista, non può che portare al disastro ambientale proprio per la sua stessa natura.#ClimateCrisis
#cambiamentoClimatico
#saveThePlanethttps://diogeneonline.info/il-significato-della-giornata-della-terra/
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By the way, heute ist #EarthDay.
Das heißt, dass das #Opernhaus in #Sydney, der #Eifelturm in #Paris und das #BrandenburgerTor in #Berlin eine Stunde eher das #Licht ausschalten.
Vielleicht gibt es noch ein paar launige Sprüche aus der #Politik.Für mehr wird es mal wieder nicht reichen.
Wenn ihr etwas nachhaltiges tun möchtet, reduziert den #Verbrauch von #Plastik. #Mehrwegflaschen und #Papierverpackungen wären ein Anfang.
#earthday2024 #sustainability #plastikfrei #plasticfree #nowaste
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Today on #EarthDay first we were at a plant swap in #Petershagen #Windheim. Later we planted cauliflower, broccoli and German turnip in our #veganorganic garden and of course those plants that came back with us from the swap.
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Global News BC: How a new ‘nature economy’ is transforming the fight for B.C.’s ancient forests https://globalnews.ca/news/9633655/new-nature-economy-bc-forests/ #globalnews #britishcolumbia #news #conservationeconomy #Old-growthforests #climateemergency #old-growthtrees #trackinggiants #BigLonelyDoug #cliamtechange #ClimateCrisis #GlobalHeating #GlobalWarming #NatureEconomy #Environment #EarthDay #Economy #Weather #Forests #Canada #World
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CW: Wholesome Macro, Male Furry Muscles, Underwear Bulge
Commission done by NeoXIII / Pocketcat, lover of all things BIG! This was a dream come true for me. Happy March! 🌎 👀 💪
You can find more information here: https://p0cketcat.carrd.co/
#Furry #FurryArt #FurryArtwork #MastoArt #FediArt #Art #ケモノ #MuscleFur #MuscleFurry #MacroFur #MacroFurry #MacroMarch #space #planets #cat #kitty #wholesome #underwear #bulge #SnowLeopard #Bara #Purple #EarthDay
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The Political Project of MCRC v. EPA, 2
Second In A Series
In this Greg Peterson photo from the Cedar Tree Institute site, Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes blesses one of the trees faith congregations planted on Earth Day, 2009.
Activists Afoot!As I suggested in my first post in this series on MCRC v. EPA, the complaint filed by the Marquette County Road Commission would have us believe that “anti-mining” forces worked secretly with and even infiltrated the EPA, and the agency’s objections to CR 595 followed a “predetermined plan.” The EPA, it claims, had decided to oppose the haul road even before the MCRC application was reviewed.
This sounds like legitimate cause for concern: permit applications should be reviewed on their merits, not pre-judged and not according to some other anti- or pro- agenda. We certainly wouldn’t want someone in the Environmental Protection Agency to be “pro-mining”; there are enough well-paid mining lobbyists already haunting the hallways in Lansing and Washington, DC. But in this case, the anti-mining label is being used as a term of opprobrium, and to distort and deliberately misrepresent what the Environmental Protection Agency is chartered and required by law to do: in short, to enforce the Clean Water Act and protect the environment.
When it comes to proving the insinuations it makes, the MCRC complaint offers slim evidence.
For example, the complaint makes a big fuss over a November 28, 2012 letter from Laura Farwell, who lives in the Marquette area and is described here as “a prominent environmental activist.” The letter is addressed to Lynn Abramson, then a Senior Legislative Assistant for Senator Barbara Boxer, and Thomas Fox, Senior Counsel of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, asking them to “weigh-in” with the EPA on CR 595. (Exhibit 1).
EPA must determine whether to uphold its original objections to proposed County Road 595 under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), pursuant to its supervisory authority over Michigan’s delegated wetlands permitting program. Tom may remember that during the August 30, 2011 meeting at EPA Denise Keehner of EPA’s office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds definitively reiterated EPA’s position and stated that the haul road would not happen.
Thus, this letter is to request, respectfully, that you weigh-in as soon as possible with the EPA on its decision.The MCRC complains about Farwell’s use of the word “definitively” here and casts the 2011 meeting in a sinister light:
on August 30, 2011, a very different type of meeting regarding CR 595 took place at USEPA Headquarters in Washington, DC. MCRC was neither invited to nor informed of the meeting. In attendance (as far as is known at the present time) were top USEPA officials, Congressional staff, KBIC representatives, and a prominent environmental activist opposed to the construction of CR 595. It further appears that USEPA made no formal record of the meeting.
Without a formal record, it’s impossible to know what transpired at this meeting, and if the complaint is going to rely on Farwell’s memory of the conversation, then it should also take into account her intentions in paraphrasing and recounting it, one year after it took place. The language here — “a very different type of meeting,” “neither invited nor informed,” “as far as is known at the present time,” “no formal record” — doesn’t help in that regard, and it’s meant to suggest that conjurations were already afoot.
It’s clear the MCRC was not included in some discussions at EPA. There’s nothing extraordinary or illicit about that. All concerned parties had been meeting with and petitioning the EPA for several years at this point. The complaint is still a long way from proving that the EPA “surreptitiously met with a number of environmental activists vocally opposed to the road,” and an even longer way from proving that there was anything like an anti-mining coalition assembled in secret at the offices of the EPA.
In an ironic twist, these allegations of secrecy and whispering behind closed doors may come back to haunt the MCRC: at a Marquette County Board of Commissioners meeting this month, the Marquette County Road Commission itself faced accusations that it had violated the Open Meetings Act in planning to bring its suit against the EPA. Public officials who intentionally violate that act are ordinarily fined and incur other liabilities; in this case, there would be some eating of words as well.
By November 28, 2012, the EPA had, in fact, “decided against the proposed haul road,” as Farwell puts it in the email she sent along with the letter to Abramson and Fox. The EPA had entered objections to the Woodland Road Application (in March, 2010) and announced their objections to CR 595 (in March, 2012). Even so, a Fall 2012 public meeting held by the EPA “in Marquette…for more input” had Farwell worried. She was not at all confident the EPA would uphold its original objections to the haul road. The matter was still far from being “definitively” settled.
Whatever reassurances Farwell was given at that 2011 meeting — or thought she had been given, or recalled having been given, one year later — were clearly at risk of getting lost in the bureaucratic shuffle. The purpose of her letter is to prevent that.
There is nothing surprising in all this. Those watching new mining developments in the Upper Peninsula are constantly having to chase after the EPA and demand that the regulator step in and do its job.
Jeffery Loman, a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and a former federal regulator, has repeatedly put the EPA on notice and complained of the agency’s failure to enforce the Clean Water Act.
In May of this year, the grassroots environmental group Save the Wild UP filed a petition with the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board, arguing that Eagle Mine was issued the wrong regulatory permit. The appeal requested that the EPA require Eagle Mine to obtain a Clean Water Act permit in order to protect the Salmon Trout River and other surface waters from the discharge of mining effluent. The Appeals Board did not contest the facts put forward in the petition, but dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction. They hardly proved themselves to be staunch allies.
So watchdogs and environmental groups, too, have reason to gripe about the EPA and often feel powerless in the face of bureaucratic inertia and ineptitude. Laura Farwell herself seems to have felt that way, and that’s why we find her asking Abramson and Fox for help. The MCRC complaint exaggerates her influence at the EPA when it describes her as “a prominent environmental activist.” The epithet is used here to create the misleading impression that within the offices of EPA Region 5 and the confines of Marquette County there are political opponents with resources to match the power of multi-billion dollar, multinational mining companies.
Laura Farwell and her husband Frank moved to the area in 2006 from Madison, Wisconsin. They are members of the St. Paul Episcopal Church and participate, along with their son Cody, in the church’s Earth Day tree plantings. The couple donated some money to the UP Land Conservancy. Farwell has also organized events for the Cedar Tree Institute, which works to bridge “faith communities and environmental groups.” (She is described on the Institute’s site as “a concerned mother and local citizen.”) She is thanked for “working quietly behind the scenes” in a 2011 Earth Keeper TV video on the environmental risks posed by the Eagle Mine; and she’s copied along with many other local citizens in a Google Group post dated April 9, 2012, urging people to comment on CR 595 before the public comment period is closed.
Farwell’s commitments to land conservation are pretty clear, and while the complaint asks us to recoil in horror at the phrase “prominent environmental activist,” cooler heads are just as likely to be impressed by Farwell’s dedication to the people around her and the place where she lives. Maybe that dedication is all it takes to be a prominent environmental activist in the view of the Marquette County Road Commission.
Some locals, on the other hand, are legitimately concerned that nationally and internationally prominent environmentalists — like Bill McKibben, George Monbiot, Naomi Klein and their ilk — ignore the current situation around Lake Superior, or fail to give it the serious attention it deserves. National media have barely taken notice. Farwell herself admits that to the great and powerful in Washington DC “the proposed haul road may seem like some little back trail in the middle of nowhere,” but she urges that it will cut through “critical wetlands resources” and “enable the industrializing of this rural Great Lakes watershed by international mining interests.”
Farwell’s letter tries to create some urgency around the CR 595 issue by putting the road in context and specifying whose interests would be served by the industrializing of the region. A serious assessment of CR 595 would significantly widen the lens, taking into account the cumulative effects of all the new mining activities around Lake Superior: all leasing, exploration, development and active mining throughout northern Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario. Otherwise, we miss the big picture, and without that perspective, it’s just too easy to parcel out the land, the water, and the future of the region to the highest bidders.
The MCRC complaint, too, places CR 595 in the context of “mining and economic development in the Great Lakes region” in a few places, but only to make the specious argument that those who oppose or question the road are opposed to mining and therefore opposed to the region’s prosperity. These are the ideological leaps the complaint makes. Those who don’t make these leaps are called activists or anti-mining obstructionists. That is a political, not a legal argument.
It’s never too late to have a serious discussion of what sustainable economic development and true prosperity for the Great Lakes region might look like. How might we best organize our lives together in this place? is a fundamental political question. But at this juncture, it appears, the MCRC can’t afford to let that conversation happen. This lawsuit is an attempt to shut it down and stifle dissent. Where business leads, society must obediently follow. To question this order of things, as Laura Farwell seems to have repeatedly done, quietly, behind the scenes, is to commit some kind of nefarious act.
This is where the attitude on display in this complaint gets worrisome. With this lawsuit, the MCRC pretends to have the political authority to direct economic development in the region (not just to build and repair roads). But that is only pretense, and things in Marquette County are not as they appear. The public still does not know who is funding the Road Commission lawsuit, what they stand for and what they expect in return for their support. The real powers lurk behind the scenes.
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