As we consider the Warner Grant and related matters, let’s appreciate ways to respond. Both preservation and access deserve attention as we consider caring better for our Cape Henlopen State Park, for our natural world; we all need to better appreciate the beauty of a redbud, the integrity of an osprey, the wonder of our natural world and how it generously sustains all life.
As indicated by the 11 million acres of recent Canadian wildfires, those furthered by hot, dry weather due to climate change, we clearly have lots of challenges and opportunities before us.
Although regional weather patterns influence our weather, the world’s climate, our well-being is clearly and severely affected by climate change, a dire event well documented by over 2,000 of the world’s leading climatologists. As an ecologist (especially of osprey and black bears) and a biology and environmental science teacher for nearly 40 years, it is clearly evident that we must respond.
Let’s appreciate energy (e.g. the value of renewable energy that is amply supplied by the sun, the full costs of fossil fuel use). And we missed an opportunity in Cape Henlopen State Park with the restaurant proposal, as restaurants can teach about recycling, food conservation, local foods, human and natural history and thoughtful waste management. Conserving energy includes recycling, thermostat adjustment, driving the speed limit in an electric vehicle that achieves the equivalent of more than 130 mpg.
Please remember the vast implications of energy conservation, tangible measures that will improve life for everyone. On its Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach has recycle bins properly situated right beside the trash bins. Even with some contamination, conservation is communicated and energy is saved. I have urged Lewes decision makers to have at least one recycle bin beside one trash can (near the lifeguard office where it can be passively monitored) on our public beaches; I have encouraged the Lewes Johnnie Walker Subcommittee to do the same. Targeting just aluminum cans might help, as to recycle one aluminum can save enough energy to power a computer for several hours; we currently recycle only about 55% of our aluminum cans. The Boy Scouts, cleaning up after a major race at the Dover Speedway, make thousands of dollars just for redeeming a weekend's worth of gathered aluminum cans.
As noted visionary David Orr of Oberlin College reminds us: Energy conservation reduces oil imports, lessens our dependence on oil from the Middle East or Venezuela, lessens our military presence in unstable regions, cuts our deficit, lowers the cost of energy, creates millions of jobs, minimizes oil spills and water pollution, reduces land degradation from strip mines, reduces air pollution, improves health and lowers medical expenses … improves the health of our democracy, contributes to stabilizing our climate thereby enabling us to avoid a catastrophe …
Let’s respond as there's much to do locally and beyond. Let’s become more aware and appreciative of our natural world, a beautiful, life-sustaining one full of wonder; it deserves nothing less.
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