Readers share hope and ideas on environment

This past June, I asked readers: “Environmentally speaking, what gives you hope? What are some of the things you do to help the environment, and why?” I set this up as an informal contest and promised to share the responses I received. Four people wrote to me. I also invited an out-of-state friend who is a retired climate scientist to give his perspective. Today and over the next several weeks, I’ll share from each of these five folks.

First up is Janet Conrad of West Chester. She tied for first place with fellow West Chester resident Don Knabb. I’ll share his response next week.

Janet wrote:

“The first question, ‘What gives you hope,’ is difficult for me to answer. Unless the industries that produce toxic products change their practices and unless government stops subsidizing harmful farming methods, I truly find little reason to be hopeful. These things are destroying the earth and eventually, when you destroy the earth, all living things will be destroyed. On that dismal note I will still say that hope springs eternal.

“One of the things we can all do to help the environment is to live organically.

“My interest in and awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things was a vital part of my thinking for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, once in a while a wasps’ nest would be found in the mailbox at the end of our front walk. I would stand next to my father and watch as he sprayed a hefty mist of DDT to kill the wasps. I would ask, “If it kills the wasps, what else will it kill?” He’d look at me, puzzled, and say, ‘You ask too many questions.’ These questions drove me to develop a conscience regarding life and how we as humans need to be aware of the effect of all our decisions on the natural world and the world around us.

“Pesticides and herbicides are poisons. They have been created to kill insects and weeds … but they do not kill selectively. They also can kill many other living things as well. Almost everyone in the United States now has pesticide residue in his/her blood. These poisons also kill all the beneficial organisms in the soil, making it sterile and unable to behave as normal, healthy soil should.

“Learning these things, the decision to live organically was an easy one. I made it many years ago. The first thing to consider was food. [In purchasing] organic food, we are supporting the market that buys food from the organic farmer which in turn supports the farmer [using] good farming practices.

“I live in an area that is blessed to have an excellent organic market, Kimberton Whole Foods. These markets can be found in many areas now, and local growers’ markets that sell produce of local farmers are available almost everywhere.

“When we use our dollars to support the businesses that grow and sell food naturally and without chemicals, the earth benefits, the farmers benefit, the birds and bees and all living things benefit. This can be expanded to how we care for our homes and yards. Safe cleaning products can also be found in most organic stores, or you can easily make your own.

“As one proceeds to incorporate these behaviors into a way of life, a respectful attitude develops toward the environment. We do not consider ourselves superior to and in control of the world around us. Instead, we become part of the natural cycle of give and take, living harmoniously with all living things.”

Thank you, Janet! We’re stronger when we work together and share ideas — I appreciate you sharing yours. Especially the reminder that in using poisons against other species we often harm ourselves as well.

Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pamelacbaxter@gmail.com, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Pam’s nature-related books for children and families are available on Amazon, at Amazon.com/author/pamelabaxter.