Our April “Earth Day” issue is always one of my favorites, and this year I have a lot of seemingly unrelated thoughts circulating. In the first three months of 2022, I’ve had several trees fall on my roof and fence due to high-wind events. Much more seriously, other areas have already been impacted by tornadoes, and today the New York Times announced, “Dangerous Storms Threaten the Deep South After Tornadoes Rip Through Texas.” Even more devastating is the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine four weeks ago; we’ve been watching events unfold—a bit in shock—ever since. On the heels of Covid, it feels to me like a big lesson that life as we know it can change significantly and quickly, and that we’re not as in control as we thought. 

I heard on the radio that Vladimir Putin gave a speech to the Russian public, telling them not to worry about the sanctions against Russia—that the American public won’t tolerate high gas prices, so they won’t last. It surprised me that he thought us so self-interested and petty, and I also hoped he wasn’t right. 

On the environmental front, I also hope we step up our efforts to minimize future extreme weather events, because our current rate of emissions exceeds what it needs to be, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In a way, the last couple of years and recent events have been a long winter, and right now we’re entering spring; this month’s article Spring is a State of Mind tells us that “spring lifts us from lethargy,” invites us “to shake off the winters of our lives—the failures, aborted plans and could-have-beens,” and teaches us there is no better time “to court our passions” than right now. 

Enjoy newfound energy this spring and the many Earth Day and wellness events happening in our area and the eco-conscious/sustainable-living organizations and businesses making them happen. And even if with small actions, prove Putin wrong. 

Shannon