We May Need Two!
Air, land, water pollution issues,
Climate change, fossil fuels we use;
Deforestation, overpopulation,
Healthy communities across our nation;
Household and industrial waste,
Acid rain, ozone replace;
Genetic engineering, urban sprawl,
Please, can't we just forget them all!
Sorry friends, we are not done,
Species extinction, biodiversity undone,
Inadequate water for nine billion souls,
Radioactive waste that nuclear holds;
Toxic chemicals, land degradation,
Mining, food safety, contamination;
Such cases in law? More than a few!
Instead of one lawyer, we may need two!
© F.W. Heaton June 2017
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice is a nonprofit public interest law organization, based in the U.S., international in scope, and dedicated to environmental issues. Individual and foundation donations fund the organization; they accept no funding from corporations or governments. Currently serving over 700 clients, they provide their services at no charge.
We stole our title for this piece "Does The Earth Need A Good Lawyer?" from Earthjustice's slogan "Because the earth needs a good lawyer." Their work can be divided into three primary categories:
- Cases that preserve wild lands/wildlife.
- Cases promoting clean energy/stable climate.
- Cases promoting healthy communities.
Handling issues relating to the above in the U.S., they also partner with organizations in Russia, China, Japan, Latin America and other regions promoting effective environmental law worldwide. Considering the above poem's only partial listing of issues and the current U.S. administration's stated intent in these matters, these two attorneys may be looking at some significant overtime!
My Albion College roommate, Rick Smith (life-long friend, 31-year career with the U.S. National Park Service, and author of the Forward for our eBook, The National Park Service Turns One Hundred), advised many years ago: "Earthjustice is one of the few and one of the best organizations to go to the courts on matters it believes are vital to preserving/protecting our environment, our health, our national heritage!" For years, Mary & I have been monthly sustainers contributing to this essential organization, look forward to their frequent email and print notifications of current issues/events and hope you will consider the same.
Our Fragile Spaceship Planet Earth
The timing for this pre-Labor Day 1Sep post acknowledges the traditional return of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate the day following Labor Day. The Congresspersons and Senators have the choice to either support the current administration or not—always strongly pressured by both the administration and their leadership . . . but also mindful of their constituents in their desire to remain in power. This, therefore, gives each us the opportunity to have our voice heard in a participative representative democracy! Your voice matters! Please write your U.S. congressperson and two U.S. senators to express your point of view on matters pertaining to the environment, our health, our national heritage, and our National Park System. And, please donate to Earthjustice. The Earth does need a good lawyer!