Without a Vision

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate its scientific research arm, firing as many as 1,155 chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists. Threatening progress made since the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Prior to the Clean Water Act of 1972 waterways were often treated as an an open sewer.

In Proverbs 29: 18 we hear: "Where there is no vision, the people perish'. The gutting of the E.P.A is a willful turn from understanding that the health of our natural world and humanity are interdependent.

The farmer and prophet Wendell Berry put it this way:

"Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you."

'Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the E.P.A., has said he wants to eliminate 65 percent of the agency’s budget. That would be a drastic reduction — one that experts said could hamper clean water and wastewater improvements, air quality monitoring, the cleanup of toxic industrial sites, and other parts of the agency’s mission.'

   ~ New York Times, March 17, 2025

Since the Clean Water Act of 1972 and Clean Air Act of 1970 our air and water quality has improved by 77% (even as our population has grown). It was a Republican president who signed these bills and formed the EPA. It is sadly ironic, that a Republican president in 2025, enabled by a GOP legislature, are actively working to dilute these landmark bills and dismantle the EPA formed to protect our environment.

It seems that many have lost an awareness that being good stewards of our natural world, is a sacred trust. What is needed are ciitizens standing up and speaking out on behalf of our neighbors in the natural world. Reminding us that everything is connected.

Stream runs through it, Ravenswood Park, Gloucester, MA

What is your vision for the sustainability of our planet? What will you say and do? The future rests with people of conscience. Onward!