12 minute read
EARTH DAY 2022
Focuses on Collective Responsibility
by Ronica A. O’Hara
Invest in Our Planet
As 1 billion people around the globe gather to mark Earth Day on April 22, they will be focusing on an increasingly critical goal: the need for everyone—governments, citizens and businesses—to do their part to combat climate change. “Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable,” is the day’s emerging motto.
While Earth Day themes over the past 52 years have often centered on specific issues, such as plastic pollution and deforestation, this year’s broader theme, “Invest In Our Planet,” reflects a growing consensus that, at such a critical point for the Earth’s future, governments will not solve the climate crisis by themselves. “Like the industrial, space and information revolutions, all sectors of society can and must play major roles—this time with the extraordinary responsibilities to get it right,” reads a statement from EarthDay.org. Activism involves not only lowering carbon emissions, but also making sure that the benefits of the coming Green Revolution are spread evenly throughout society, the statement says. “In 2022, we all must enter into one partnership for the planet,” says Earth Day President Kathleen Rogers.
Events, such as rallies and social media campaigns, aim to encourage action and legislation, as well as educate on corporate and personal sustainability. Art shows allow attendees to visualize a better future while data collection for citizen-based science research and workshops find ways to build local green economies. All are appropriate ways to participate this Earth Day, as well as clean-up campaigns and tree plantings. To learn about personal actions, including step-by-step instructions on how to organize an event, visit EarthDay.org.
HelpCollier and Lee Countycelebrate victories and support future progress by participating in these local Earth Day 2022 events.
Earth Day 24,901-Mile Run/Walk Challenge April 1 through 30
The goal is to collectively see how many times participants can run the distance of the equator: 24,901 miles. Organizers need at least 415 people to commit to run at least two miles a day for the month to try to reach that number. Runners, walkers or joggers of all fitness levels may join this epic challenge. Recruit friends, family and co-workers. Log miles and report them via a results page daily or weekly, which will be tallied toward the overall goal.
Free participation. For more information, visit ChallengeInMotion.com/products/ earth-day-challenge-24901-miles. Share the mission by tagging @VirtualRunChallenge and #EarthDayChallenge2022.
Collier County Waste Management offers onsite paper shredding the first Saturday of the month at three locations. The first 20 pounds are free. Additional shredding is $1 per pound.
Naples Recycling Drop-Off Center, 2640 Corporate Flight Dr.; North Collier Recycling Drop-Off Center, 9950 Goodlette Rd. N.; Tim Nance Collier County Recycling Drop-Off Center, 825 39th Ave. NE (next to the fairgrounds), Naples. For more information, call 239-252-7575 or visit CollierCountyFl.Gov/recycle.
‘Honor the Earth’ Nature Awareness Event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 3
Cypress Cove Landkeepers is hosting its first “Honor the Earth” nature awareness event at the Gore Nature Education Center. Explore the trails throughout this 10-acre preserve and hear about the Floridians that lived here during three very distinct eras of Collier County’s history, and how they reacted to and worked with the environment. Wildlife biologist Deborah Jansen will be sharing her decades of experience supporting the comeback of the Florida panther and answering questions about Florida’s state animal. Children’s activities include coloring with natural materials, rock painting, creating nature-inspired jewelry and potting plants to take home.
Admission and parking are free; donations are welcome. Location: 4261 40th Ave. SE, Naples, in Golden Gate Estates. For more information on event and organization, visit ccLandkeepers.com.
Join for nature programs, story time, upcycled crafts, beach cleanup and more. Throughout the day, informal Earth Day activities and educational materials will be available for the whole family at the Welcome and Discovery Center. Reservations are required for all formal activities.
All programs are free with paid park entry. Location: Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers. For more information and to register, visit Bit.ly/april-22-events.
SWFL RESET Center Earth Day Event 5 p.m., April 22
Celebrate Earth Day on the 12-acre Fort Myers Unitarian Universalist Church campus featuring the art of Paul Arsenault; a conversation with Joe Bonasia, SWFL regional director for the Florida Rights of Nature Network, about the Right to Clean Water; and a cocktail reception with RESET’s board of directors, followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op.68, The Pastorale, by the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra.
Location: 13411 Shire Lane. For more information, call 239-272-5778 or visit SwflRESET.org and GulfCoastSymphony. org/concert/gulf-coast-chamber-orchestraearth-day-celebration.
Save Our Planet Earth Day Jamboree 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 23
The Collier County Waterkeeper organization will commemorate Earth Day with many kids’ activities, electric vehicles, food and beer, entertainment, a petting zoo and vendors representing nonprofits, organizations and others at Cambier Park, in Naples. Participating event organizations and entities include SWFL RESET Center, the League of Women Voters of Collier County, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Audubon Western Everglades, Tesla, Natural Awakenings, Justice 4 All Coalition, Water School of FGCU, The Right to Clean Water, Florida Rights of Nature Network, EarthDay.org, Campus Climate Corps and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Location: 755 8th Ave. S. For more information, call 239-784-0800 or email kcs@ CollierCountyWaterkeeper.org or visit CollerCountyWaterkeeper.org.
Join The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, in Naples, for their biggest community celebration of the year, featuring live animal encounters, boat tours, food trucks, Bioblitz Location: 1495 Smith Preserve Way. For more information, visit Conservancy.org/ earthday.
‘Ding’ Darling Day Takes Conservation Carnival to Lakes Park 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 24
To further its mission to reach and connect with underserved urban communities, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will migrate its 33rd annual “Ding” Darling Day celebration to Lakes Park, in Fort Myers. This year, the refuge will jointly observe Earth Day, which falls two days earlier on April 22, with “Ding” Day. Wildlife on Wheels will be at the center of the free “Ding” Darling Day at Lakes Park. Besides tours of the mobile nature experience, the refuge and DDWS have planned a full day of Conservation Carnival activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special free outdoor activities include carnival games, prizes, Earth Day crafts, artist-inresidence programs, guided bilingual birding walks, a biking tour, snow cones and educational interactions with other local conservation organizations.
Location: 7330 Gladiolus Dr. For more information including supporting DDWS, call 239-472-1100 ext. 4, email Director@DingDarlingSociety.org or visit DingDarlingSociety.org.
Arbor Day Earth Day/ Mother’s Day Celebration April 30
SWFL RESET Center and the Lee County Circular Design Challenge will conduct tree planting as part of Russ Ringland’s Future Forestry program along Veterans Parkway, in Cape Coral. Attendees are invited to bring music, art, poetry, cameras and their love of trees.
For more information, visit SWFLRESET. org/events. An Eventbrite invitation will be posted on their Community Calendar with registration info.
Eat Lots of Fiber to Improve Melanoma Outcomes
A new type of immunotherapy that enables T-cells to fight cancer cells is proving hopeful for people with the deadly skin cancer melanoma, and a new study has found that a highfiber diet improves the effectiveness of the therapy. Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported in Science that, by analyzing the gut microbiome in hundreds of patients, they found that higher dietary fiber intake was linked with disease non-progression among patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade therapy compared to patients eating little fiber. The results were strongest in patients that ate the most dietary fiber, but did not take probiotics, a finding that was replicated with lab animals.
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Practice Good Dental Care to Lower Heart and Cognitive Risks
A whopping 47 percent of U.S. adults over 30 have periodontal disease, and the consequences can be severe for their physical and mental health, suggests a new study in the journal BMJ Open. Researchers from the UK University of Manchester followed 64,379 people diagnosed with periodontal disease, including gingivitis, marked by swollen and red gums, as well as periodontitis, in which gums pull away from the tooth and bone or teeth are lost. The subjects, with an average age of 44, were compared over an average of three years to 251,161 people without the disease. Those with periodontal disease had a 37 percent higher risk of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and serious mental illness; a 33 percent higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Type 1 diabetes and psoriasis; an 18 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, stroke and vascular dementia; and a 26 percent higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
“This research provides further, clear evidence why healthcare professionals need to be vigilant for early signs of gum disease and how it can have wide-reaching implications for a person’s health, reinforcing the importance of taking a holistic approach when treating people,” says Caroline Aylott, head of research delivery at the University of Birmingham Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research.
Inconvenient Convenience
Plastic On its Way Out at National Parks
A poll by Ipsos conducted for the ocean conservation group Oceana last November found that 82 percent of registered U.S. voters responding would like the National Park Service to stop selling and distributing single-use plastic items. The survey revealed broad appreciation for national parks, with around four in five respondents saying they had been to a park and 83 percent of previous park visitors looking forward to a return visit. Oceana Plastics Campaign Director Christy Leavitt says, “These polling results indicate that Americans, whether Republican or Democrat, want our parks to be unmarred by the pollution caused by single-use plastic.”
The results show broad support for a campaign led by Oceana and more than 300 other environmental organizations which sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland asking the parks to end the sale and distribution of plastic beverage bottles, bags, foodware and cutlery, and plastic foam products. The proposed Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would see such a policy enacted if passed. “The National Park Service was created to preserve these natural and historic spaces, and in order to truly uphold that purpose, it needs to ban the sale and distribution of single-use plastic items, many of which will end up polluting our environment for centuries to come, despite being used for only a moment,” says Leavitt.
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CryoFaCial
Cryofacial sessions applies cold temperature to the face, widening the blood vessels and increasing oxygen supply. This stimulates collagen, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improves skin elasticity.
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CryoToning
Cryotoning apply cold temperatures to areas of the body which widens blood vessels and increases oxygen supply. This helps to stimulate collagen production, which breaks down cellulite, leaving you with smooth, dimple-free skin.
Cyroslimming
During cryoslimming sessions the skin is rapidly cooled, which triggers natural reduction in fat cells. Whether you’re looking to reduce fat on you stomach, thighs, arms, or back this is the solution for you.
community spotlight Maid Organic
Cleaning Services, Supplies and Our Health
by Linda Sechrist
Maidorganic, a familyowned business located in Southwest Florida and Bristol, Connecticut, has had an effective solution to the problem of toxic cleaning products since 2008. Motivated while working for friends that were cancer patients, founder Sheila Gagne recalls reading about the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) investigation of more than 2,000 cleaning supplies on the American market. “EWG found that many contained substances linked to serious health problems, and that not only do fumes from some cleaning products possibly induce asthma, as well as the development of other respiratory problems, but also that common cleaning ingredients contain preservatives that release low levels of cancer-causing formaldehyde,” she says. Creating her own formulas for safe, organic cleaning products became Gagne’s passion. “I wanted an all-natural approach, but I couldn’t find anything on the market. If it smelled good or wasn’t harsh, it performed poorly. I put my nursing background to work and built a laboratory in the basement of our house. It took one year of research and development for me to create the perfect ratios for our Maid Organic formulas, which we sell direct to consumer and that are the only products that I use in our residential and commercial cleaning services. Our formulas were clinically tested by an independent laboratory, and the report showed that they killed most hospital germs and were as powerful as harsh conventional commercial cleaning products,” says Gagne. Proud of the research and thoroughness that goes into hiring a competent staff for the company’s commercial and residential projects, Gagne says, “We perform background checks and hire only those that meet our high standards, because not only do I want to give our customers peace of mind regarding who is cleaning their home, I want the peace of mind that comes from not having to worry about the people who are representing us. We have a reputation to uphold, and our integrity is part of how we built the excellent reputation that we have. We care about creating a healthier home and environment. We want you to take us up on our tagline, ‘Do more things you love and leave the cleaning to us,’” enthuses Gagne.
Sheila Gagne
For more information about Maidorganic cleaning services or products, call 860-550-1120 or visit MaidOrganic.com. See ad, page 47.
