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Every Day is Earth Day: How You Can Create a Healthy Future for Yourself and the Planet
by Steven Schindler / April 28, 2021
The planet and human wellbeing are intricately connected. We are, in essence, a biological amalgam of the elements that make up our environment. To somehow suggest that nature is “out there,” fails to acknowledge that we are nature.
On April 22, the world celebrated Earth Day. Every year, Earth Day reminds us that not only is it possible to live in harmony and in partnership with Mother Earth, but that it is our responsibility to act to ensure the earth remains healthy for future generations. If our planet is healthy, it stands to reason that the earth’s inhabitants will be healthy, too.
We Share Responsibility as Citizens of Mother Earth
When Dr. Price traversed the globe studying indigenous communities in the early 20th century, he encountered peoples exhibiting robust physical health. He attributed this to their diet and nutrition practices, which were reliant upon centuries-old land management and reverence for nature. These and other native peoples learned over thousands of years to take care of the land and the animals that sustained them.
While it may seem that we have lost our connection with Mother Earth, there are many initiatives happening to reconnect humankind to the land that sustains us. We are all citizens of this magnificent planet, and we share the responsibility to act as if every day is Earth Day.
Dana Geffner and the Fair World Project
We have just interviewed Dana Geffner, a leader in the fair trade movement, and co-founder of Fair World Project, for our upcoming journal. Fair trade policies ensure that the price we pay for products provides producers with the income to afford life’s essentials – food, education, and healthcare – while safeguarding fair labor practices, and respecting indigenous communities. Fair World Project is advancing fair trade policies and initiatives, while exposing corporate practices that prioritize shareholder profits over people and the planet. Our interview will be posted online soon. In the meantime, you can connect with Fair World Project at: https://fairworldproject.org/
The Rodale Institute and Regenerative Agriculture
In coming months, we will continue to explore the relationship between planet and human health. One organization leading in this arena is the Rodale Institute. Their focus on organics and regenerative agriculture began in the 1930s when J.I. Rodale purchased a rundown farm in Pennsylvania to create a model for organic farming. Rodale and Dr. Price were connected by a shared interest in, and concern for, deteriorating human health caused by the diminishing nutrient quality from industrial food production and factory farms. Visit the Rodale Institute at https://rodaleinstitute.org/ for more information.
Celebrate our Blue Planet on World Oceans Day
Earth Day is about more than just terra firma. Ours is a blue planet, with ocean accounting for more than 70% of Mother Earth’s surface. Our ocean provides us with the oxygen we breathe, feeds us, and regulates our climate. While we still have much to learn about our ocean, we know that its fragile ecosystem is under severe threat from human impact. June 8 is World Oceans Day. Started by The Ocean Project in 2002, and adopted by the United Nations in 2008, World Ocean Day is a global day of awareness and action to protect our blue planet, with more than 2,000 events in over 140 countries worldwide. Your participation can make a difference. Click on the links above to learn more and to get involved.
Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Winners
In addition to important planet-health initiatives happening now, we were reminded of our bright future by the inspiring secondary school students who competed in the 2021 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Price-Pottenger team members have been serving as Professional Society judges for this fair for 57 years. This year, we were impressed by all participants, and awarded top honors and prizes to the following students:
- Hafsah Kazi, 8th grader: Impact of Metals and Natural Remedies on Planaria
- Saanvi Dogra, 7th grader: Effect of Heme vs. Non-Heme Iron Supplements on Gut Microbiome Fitness
- Sarah Youssef, 8th grader: The Effectiveness of Herbal Treatments on Staphylococcus
- Shukriya Osman, 10th grader: Antioxidants: A Potential Key in Preventing High Risk Diseases
Mother Earth, and human health and wellbeing are intricately connected. Simply by choosing food that is grown and raised in harmony with nature, you are helping to ensure a healthy future for people and the planet. Together, we can act to heal our planet for generations to come.
Steven Schindler is the executive director of Price-Pottenger. A nonprofit strategist and business management expert, Steven has an abiding interest in the relationship between physical fitness, health, and overall well-being.