Love it - Protect it - MV #2: Meadows & Fields
From
the native sandplain grasslands that support the unique biodiversity or
Martha's Vineyard, to the picturesque farm fields that sustain our
local food economy, much of the most iconic land on our Island is
literally open space.
A
collaborative community arts & ideas project, "Love it – Protect it
– MV" is a celebration of nature, open spaces, and our sense of place
as an island. All are invited to join with VCS to honor our
extraordinary home through the visual arts, written thoughts, and any
other form of expression.
 Following the winter's deep dive into Shorelines, this month we turn our attention to Meadows & Fields. For info on how to participate please click here.
The project is truly open to all, with no age or skill level
requirements. In these challenging times, we can all benefit from a
greater sense of connection with nature!
Right: "From the High Dune" by Kib Bramhall, one of the many excellent contributions for the Shorelines theme (art slideshow here, writing collection here)
Top: Katama Airpark, photo by Brendan O'Neill
Protecting Public Lands: Do it Now, Do it Right
Last week, the U.S. House passed the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, a collection of bills
that would strengthen protection of public lands in eight locations
across the West. Passage in an evenly-divided Senate is uncertain to say
the least, but since wilderness and natural resource protection has
historically garnered some Republican support it is possible. Given the
stakes – 2.7 million acres and 1,000 miles of rivers – this one is worth
pinning our hopes on.
President Biden has pledged to work toward protecting 30% of America’s land by 2030, as well as to reverse the damage done to the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments (which, ideally, would be just the beginning).
Though much of this could be addressed through the Department of the
Interior via executive order, legislation would help accomplish these
goals in a much more durable way. After all, a future president could
undo orders protecting land just as easily as Biden can undo his
predecessor’s orders to open it up to exploitation. Repealing
legislation is not so easy.
Above: Valley of the Gods at Bears Ears National Monument, Utah (Sumiko Scott/Moment/Getty)
Turf Wars: Return of the Applicant
Tonight
at 7:00, the MV Commission hosts yet another hearing for the review of
the controversial proposal to build a new sports complex with an
artificial turf field at the High School. Following the second hearing,
which saw strong arguments in opposition, led by a presentation from the
Field Fund (video) followed by additional testimony from environmental groups including VCS (video), tonight's return engagement will focus specifically on questions of chemical toxicity (see agenda).
See this page
for Zoom and dial-in info to attend the meeting. Speaking slots have
already been assigned and there will likely not be time for additional
public input tonight, but if you would like to submit written comments
or speak at the next hearing (and we encourage everyone to do so),
please contact Lucy Morrison at the MVC.
Climate Change, Human History, and . . . Stick Figures?
The last climate data illustration you'll ever need
Did you know that the Earth’s climate changes naturally? It’s true! In fact, at one time the Earth warmed by even more than the worst-case scenarios predicted by climate scientists.
The trouble, of course, is that the Earth has never before warmed nearly
as quickly as today. That previous rise, the huge 4-degree Celsius one
that brought us to the modern climate era, took about 10,000 years (give
or take a few thousand).
Which brings us to this graphic by Randall Munroe (creator of the wonderful comic xkcd),
which may be the single best illustration of historical climate change
on the internet. It’s funny, occasionally silly, and above all, truly
informative. (And if you take just last 200 years and turn it on its
side it resembles the all-too-familiar figures.)
So, the next time someone tries to argue that climate change isn’t important because the Earth’s climate is always changing, send them this. When nothing else seems to work, why not try humor?
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