April 22, 2025: Can This Planet Be Saved?

On the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, Voices of Reason and Resistance asked, "Can this planet be saved?"  We began with a conversation with James Wood, a FEMA representation, reminding us that FEMA is still active in Georgia dealing with damage from 2024 storms, Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene.  He talked about preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season, and suggested ready,gov as an excellent website, as well as 1-800-621-3362.  Thank you, James, for taking time to come on Voices of Reason and Resistance to remind us that FEMA is here to help.

Following that discussion, co-hosts Two and Barbara talked about prior Earth Days, beginning with a focus on the environment, that resulted in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and passage of the Clean Water and Air Acts.  More recent Earth Days have shifted focus to climate warming and its impact on agriculture, migration and the ferocity of recent storms, as well as the incredible increase in the waste stream, particularly toxins and plastics.

We suggested a number of actions we can take in our homes and in our communities such as demanding (or only buying) products that can be repaired, recycling and upcycling, growing your own food, banning and refusing to use one-use plastic bags, looking for alternatives to plastic packaging, community composting and gardening, and adhering to "never buy new" whenever possible.

A shout out to Albert Strickland, who would have been 79 on April 20 and whose spirit lives on at Voices of Reason and Resistance.