Our Mother Earth
By Deacon Tom Cervone, Ph.D., Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C., and Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. M.S.
Editor’s note: This series takes a deeper look at Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical ― On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si’
Did you know the TV show “Highway to Heaven” produced many episodes about the environment? Merry Christmas from Grandpa (1989; Season 5/Episode 13) aired 33 years ago. It’s significant because many issues then －exist today. Similarly, Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D., had a great video entitled “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change” (12/14/18).
PBS/NOVA aired “Can we cool the Earth” (Ben Kalina, 10/22/20). Experts agree the first step for cooling the planet is preventing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. This documentary addressed a combination of seven methods:
- direct air capture
- recycling emissions
- using carbon in making materials
- marine-cloud brightening
- release of fine particle aerosols in the stratosphere
- preservation, reforestation and afforestation
- composting on grasslands and soils
Direct air capture works on a small-scale; is very expensive; and requires much water to eject and store carbon into the earth. Recycling emissions uses sunlight, ambient air, and water vapor to drive a reaction capable of flying a large jet, but it costs six times normal fuels. Using carbon in making materials is good for concrete companies to reduce CO2 emissions. Incorporating CO2 into concrete with fly ash makes for durable concrete. Marine-cloud brightening adds small saltwater particles to generate clouds, which act as floating sun reflectors. Release of fine particle aerosols into the stratosphere reflects sunlight too.
Natural ways of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere are preservation of existing forests, and reforestation and afforestation of 2.5 billion acres worldwide “outside urban and farming areas.” For a 3-D worldwide carbon profile, a Global Ecosystem Dynamic Investigation instrument is needed on one of our satellites. It would help us know where to save our carbon sources and where to invest in new carbon sources. Using compost layered on grassland and farmland is another way to increase plant growth 78% and soil carbon 37% in three years (Ben Kalina, “Can we cool the Earth,” PBS/NOVA).
Biogas is produced when food or animal wastes are broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. An example of a biogas is methane from landfills (“Your trash is emitting methane in the landfill. Here’s why it matters for the climate,” Bruggers et al., 7/13/21, NPR). Methane is more than 25 times stronger than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere (EPA, 6/9/2022). Air travel is another source of air pollution. (“New Concept hybrid planes could reduce deadly air pollution by 95%,” Tiffany Duong, 2/12/21, EcoWatch).
Consider joining Dr. Douglas Tallamy to learn how small actions by individuals can make a big environmental impact (University of Evansville, Ridgway University Center, Eykamp Hall, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 1). Free tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-doug-tallamy-presentation-tickets-398905155057
Tri-State Creation Care will host Evansville’s first-ever Electric Vehicle ride-and-drive, “EVs for EVV,” from 4-7 p.m. CDT Oct. 2, in the parking lot between Michael's and Arby's at the NW corner of the Lloyd Expressway and Burkhardt Road.
What can we do?
Visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BvcToPZCLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeYJTluQ5tM
https://www.epa.gov/gmi/importance-methane#
Read:
All We Can Save, 2020. Edited by Ayana Johnson and Katharine Wilkinson.
The Future We Choose. 2020. Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac
Under the Sky We Make. 2021. Kimberly Nicholas, Ph.D.
“The warnings about global warming have been extremely clear for a long time. We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period of consequences” (Al Gore).
Dr. Tom Cervone is a deacon at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana with 50 years of experience in ecology. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University, a Franciscan University. Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C. is a support sister on the Seton Harvest Farm started by the Daughters of Charity in response to the Communities - Care of Mother Earth. This CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm grows all natural produce for shareholders and the poor. Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. MS. is an award winning ELL (English Language Learner) teacher, who lives in Evansville, Indiana with her family.