Hello All,

Earth Day was a beautiful sunny day and a very inspirational community event. As the organizer of Earth Day Nantucket, I was impressed and delighted with the creative, supportive and environmentally aware people and organizations that participated and contributed to this event. It was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to come together as a community and share ideas about solutions to the challenges we are facing with climate change and global warming. My sincerest thanks to each and every one of you for coming. Many people have said that every day should be Earth Day, including myself. But this special day reached a bit further. Please allow me to step on a soap box for a moment...

Now that we have a renewed interest in taking care of our planet, we are beginning to recognize the impact of our burgeoning human population and how immediate action must be taken. There must be a paradigm shift in the fabric of social & economic attitudes on a local and global scale. This can only be achieved through the sharing of solutions and passionate dialog with everyone. WHAT IF... Earth Day begins to be a day of fun, education and awareness to unite the human family with a common ground? A way to drop the judgements of right wing or left wing, conservative or liberal, environmentalist or capitalist, one religion or another, rich or poor, one country or another, one color or another? A day to reflect and share a common ground toward peace and care for the planet? WHAT IF... we were empowered by the opportunities to take action and care for the planet and every life form on it, instead of dwelling in fear and powerlessness on the impending climate crisis? WHAT IF... Earth Day becomes a wake up call to everyone that we must use our enthusiasm, creativity and power to change the world? WHAT IF... due to it's universal nature and far reaching moral implications, Earth Day became "THE" event of the year... i.e. more celebrated than any other holiday? WHAT IF... rather than feeling these thoughts were too idealistic you deeply felt this was already happening? ...just planting a few seeds.... :~)

I have found that most people live on Nantucket intentionally. That is to say, they have many options but have chosen this unique place as a home like none other. Hopefully, as a coastal community we are doubly aware that climate change and sea level rise could effect our way of life if "we" do not make a dramatic change in the way humanity is impacting the planet and pumping green house gases into the atmosphere. If one has researched the scientific studies about the climate crisis then you have already come to the same conclusion as myself. If some are swayed by the handful of sceptics creating doubt about the scientific facts... then simply look at how the severe weather patterns have broken all historical records. If you know of some people who choose to not look at the scientific facts or the climate crisis then suggest they err on the side of caution and contribute toward a better world for our children and grandchildren.

"There is little merit in casting blame for inaction, unless it helps point toward a solution. It seems to me that special interests have been a roadblock wielding undue influence over policymakers. The special interests seek to maintain short-term profits with little regard to either the long-term impact on the planet that will be inherited by our children and grandchildren or the long-term economic well-being of our country.
The public, if well-informed, has the ability to override the influence of special interests, and the public has shown that they feel a stewardship toward the Earth and all of its inhabitants." -From NASA's top climate scientist, Dr James E. Hansen

We have an addiction problem that has been out in the open for years... fossil fuel. We need to rapidly take action to move toward energy independence through multiple renewable energy solutions. This just makes sense from multiple levels, social, political, economic, national security and indeed quality of life for generations to come. We have the technology to do this and if we can put a man on the moon we can certainly create an energy independent country. However, anytime you change the status quo there will naturally be resistance... We must motivate our policymakers to rapidly adopt legislation that moves us forward toward energy independence. Everything we have in our world began as an idea in someone's imagination. With positive intention and passion for the planet we can change the world!

Earth Day Nantucket had a quiet milestone happen that will have a trickle down effect as time goes on... the signing of the Earth Day Nantucket 2007 Resolution by the board of Selectmen. I have attached a copy of the resolution in PDF format. It enrolls our elected community leaders as part of a coalition in taking steps to address the climate crisis by addressing issues such as energy use, transportation, waste prevention and conservation. It also recognizes Earth Day. A day to undertake programs and projects that enhance our community's natural environment.

I will also be putting together a listing of all the environmentally aware groups and businesses on the island for your reference. (NantucketSynergy.org)

We have rekindled a powerful, grass-roots movement for social, economic and environmental change!

Best regards,
Bruce Marshall-Jones



Here are some snap shots of Earth Day Nantucket 2007