| 作者 傑奇‧艾倫‧朱利安諾 博士
我的心靈花園一角，有一棵小植物叫尊敬，我喜歡每週為它澆一次水。
-- 霍姆斯 （Oliver Wendell Holmes）
在天光中，我的心靈穿過所有事物，看進一切生物，然後我在青草與植物中看到了上帝。
-- 伯麥 （Jacob Boehme）
今年的第31屆地球日，標示著前所未有的資源消耗與環境中的化學物質負荷。政府機構終於承認，數以萬計的化學物質存在於我們的土壤、空氣、水、和生物體中。隨著人口成長，對資源的要求增加，我們離1970年第一屆地球日的目標越來越遠，許多人懷疑我們是否有慶祝的理由。
自從第一屆地球日至今，為了產生能源而燃燒的煤和石油數量劇烈激增。這些化石燃料的燃燒，將數百萬年前古代植物的碳含量釋放出來，進入空氣中形成蓋住整個星球的二氧化碳保溫毯。地球氣溫已經明顯增加，有些科學家認為在未來的50到100年間，所有的冰河都會融化，使全球海平面上升14英吋 （約36公分） 之多，吞沒全世界的沿海城市。
30年前，第一屆地球日的偉大期望，現在變成怎樣了？
現年85歲，前任威斯康辛州參議員的蓋洛德‧納爾遜，是公認的地球日之父。（照片提供：荒野協會，The Wilderness Society）
1970年的第一屆地球日，估計全國有2000萬人參與這場和平示威運動，希望喚起大家對環境困境的注意。參議員蓋洛德‧納爾遜 與行動派律師丹尼斯‧海亞斯將其規劃成全國性的環境座談會，超過10,000所小學、2,000所大學學院以及1,000個社區參與活動，傳送強烈的訊息給政治領袖，宣告環境是每個人生活的一部份而且需要關照。
參議員納爾遜說，地球日的目的是在「使政治體制覺醒，並迫使此問題成為全國性議題。」
「這是場賭博，」他回憶道：「但確實有效。」或許有人會說，雖然今天許多人比1970年時更具環保意識，但在經濟健康仍然比地球健康重要的世界中，對抗環境破壞潮流所做的努力仍然太少。
美麗卻致命的太陽高掛在大西洋。與人為排放集熱氣體有關的全球暖化現象，正在改變地球氣候。（照片提供：美國國家海洋暨氣象局，National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration）
第一屆地球日傳遞的訊息被採納，在接下來的幾年中，頒布了全面性的環境法規，包括瀕危物種法令、聯邦清淨空氣法案、聯邦水污染控制法案、毒性物質控制法案，以及環境保護署的創立。
那是一個再度覺醒的強而有力的時代。有一段期間裡，對我們為自然世界所造成衝擊的醒悟似乎能帶來正面的改變，物種被保存、棲地受到保護、開發計畫停止。在紐約市，超過10萬人參加在中央公園舉辦的生態博覽會；國會在當天休會，超過500位議員參加了大學座談會或發表關於拯救環境的演說。
而2001年地球日會帶來什麼？總統會加入國會，在當日休會一天去參加座談會嗎？國會當日不開會，這是因為今年的地球日剛好在星期天。我不認為會在座談會上看到多少國會議員。
自從31年前的第一屆地球日以來，全球增加的人口數和過去10萬年增加的人口一樣多。因為人口成長，需要的土地及資源數量也跟著膨脹。貧富之間的差距越來越大。
過去31年以來全球經濟規模加倍，大多數國家都承受了必須增加出口收入的壓力。有許多國家試圖以銷售更多海洋魚類來增加收入，因為農作物產量的增加再也趕不上人口成長的腳步。結果是，過度漁穫導致一個接一個物種的大量毀滅，而漁獲量也因此越來越稀少。
（照片提供 傑奇‧艾倫‧朱利安諾
(c)）
在造紙業，全世界有94%的漂白紙漿在過程中使用氯，這種製程會產生戴奧辛以及其他數百種有害的有機氯，進入水、土壤和紙張本身當中。有機氯已證實與乳癌以及其他疾病有關。無氯技術在10年前就已發展出來，但採行這種技術的步調依舊緩慢，儘管它的費用較便宜。
31年過了，我變得憤世嫉俗。2001年地球日仍然是賀卡上的一個節日，有一些淨灘活動、馬拉松、教育攤位、植樹活動和遊行。整個美國會舉辦許多慶祝活動和展售會，有食物、展示品，以及，我確定一定有很多用來過濾髒空氣和水的產品可以買。
大部分報導地球日大事的新聞都說，地球日這天可以有各式各樣的體驗。除了少數的示威遊行，誓言團結奮戰，把我們的地球、我們的海洋以及我們的天空清乾淨。
據稱我們供不起給下一代乾淨的空氣與水，以及健康。但是在2001年的頭幾個月中，我們就花了超過20億美元買錄影帶。準新娘今年將花費超過350億美元籌備婚禮，而美國人會因為賭博花掉驚人的5,500億美元。各種公司則花費無數金錢打廣告。
關心的民眾在加州海灘上圍成圓圈 （照片提供 傑奇‧艾倫‧朱利安諾 （c））
但是World Game Institute說，如果每年花費20億美元，在10年內我們可以移除地球上所有的地雷。
每年花費210億美元，在10年內我們可以讓這個星球上的每一個人都有居所。
我們也能提供世界性的保健措施以及愛滋病控制，以10年為期每年投資210億美元的費用；同樣10年期間每年花費170億美元，則可以消滅全世界的飢餓與營養不良。
今天的美國有許多人有能力能開出這麼龐大金額的支票。
消滅飢餓與營養不良的費用，只不過佔全球每年軍事經費的2.4%、或非法毒品交易的1.9%；也等同於美國人每年花在減重計畫金額的55%。
地球日網站 The Earth Day website 列出了數百項世界各地的地球日活動，北卡羅來納的第二高峰-祖父山 （Grandfather Mountain），當天將群集民眾參加一場部分電力由風力和太陽能供應的慶祝活動，現場有一些很棒的討論及會議。但是我卻找不到任何的抗議或遊行，標示著31年前地球日的誕生，那時2千萬人說著「我要更好的生活」，而不是更棒的派對。
歷史會如何描述2001年地球日呢？100年後的報紙上也許會出現一篇諷刺性的文章，這樣寫著：
2001年的地球日31週年紀念，舉辦了許多慶祝活動與手工藝品展售會。街頭表演很精彩一些海灘在幾小時內清理乾淨。人們去遠足健行，農場動物給人拍拍抱抱。但是，當這些可愛的慶祝活動舉行的同時，同一天的美國也發生了下列事情：
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拋棄了20萬噸可食用的食物 - 數量較平日為多，因為慶祝活動的關係。
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使用了3億1300萬加侖的燃料 - 很多是用來開車去參加慶祝活動 - 相當於每分鐘汲乾26部牽引式拖車的燃料。
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這個星球上四分之一的成年人無法閱讀或書寫。
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每五個人中就有一人在挨餓、營養不良，而且沒有居所。
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每五個人中就有一人缺乏乾淨的飲用水。
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每三個人中就有一人缺乏足夠的醫療照護。
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全世界有6萬名五歲以下的兒童死於飲用水不良。
是有一些零星的抗議活動，但對美國大多數的領導人物來說，這只不過是另一個上班日，一面數著這一天帶來的豐厚收入。
在2001年地球日，我們需要比以往更嚴肅地反省這個事實：地球生命維持系統 - 以及我們 - 的時間也許真的快要用完了。
也許地球日應該是全國傾聽的日子 - 如同一行禪師 （Thich Nhat Hahn） 所言：傾聽地球哭泣的聲音。如果我們真的能聽到，絕對會起身行動。
相關資源
1. 拜訪地球日網站：http://www.earthday.org/。
2. 地球日事件一覽表，請拜訪：http://planet-hawaii.com/cch/earthday/
edhflink.html
3. 關於婦女健康與環境的概要說明，在http://www.wedo.org/monitor/
health.htm
4. 遍佈全世界的有機農業努力成果不斷增加中，相關資訊：Economic Research Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture。
5. 找出你的國會代表是誰，發電子郵件給他們。告訴他們全面性改變環境的時刻到了。如果你知道你的郵遞區號 （美國），你可以在
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ziptoit.html 找到這些國會代表。
6. 在2001年地球日找你的家人一起看瓊‧羅賓斯的錄影帶「新美國飲食」（Diet for a New America），這可能是你和你的家人、朋友們所能看的節目中最重要的60分鐘。要買影帶請按這裡。
7. 參觀World Game Institute驚人的「世界需要什麼」企劃 （What the World Wants Project）：http://www.worldgame.org/wwwproject/，關於上述的花費與假設，你可以了解更多細節。這項傑出的資源將從此擴展你的視野。把他們的圖表寄一份給你社區中的每一位慈善家與政治領導人物。
傑奇‧艾倫‧朱利安諾博士是作家兼教師，目前住在西雅圖，正在等待新寶寶的降臨，以及尋找地球日的意義。如有任何想法、評論與見識，請寄給他：jackie@healingourworld.com，歡迎參觀他的網站：http://www.healingourworld.com
全文與圖片詳見http://ens-news.com/ens/apr2001/2001L-04-20g.html
版權歸屬Environment News Service（ENS），環境信託基金會 （李眉君 譯， 李欣哲、蔡麗伶 審校）
中英對照全文：http://news.ngo.org.tw/issue/environ/
2001/environ01062601.htm
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By Jackie Alan Giuliano, Ph.D.
There is a little plant called reverence
in the corner of my soul's garden,
which I love to have watered once a week.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
In this light, my spirit saw through all things and into all creatures,
and I recognized God in grass and plants.
-- Jacob Boehme
The 31st Earth Day this year will mark an unprecedented time of resource consumption and chemical load in the environment. Government agencies are acknowledging that tens of thousands of chemicals are in our earth, air, water, and bodies. As our growing population increased its demand for resources, the objectives of the first Earth Day in 1970 may be far from accomplished and many are wondering if we will ever have cause for celebration.
Since the first Earth day, the burning of coal and oil to produce power has increased dramatically. The burning of these fossil fuels has unlocked the carbon contained in millions of years worth of ancient plant growth and released into the air a heat-retaining blanket of carbon dioxide over the planet. Earth's temperature has increased significantly. Some scientists think all the glaciers will melt in the next 50 years to 100 years, raising the level of the seas as much as 14 inches worldwide, obliterating coastal cities around the world.
What happened to the grand expectations we had at the first Earth Day, 30 years ago?
Now 85, former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson is known as the Father of Earth Day. （Photo courtesy
The Wilderness Society）
The first Earth Day in 1970 saw an estimated 20 million people across the nation participating in peaceful demonstrations that called attention to our environmental dilemmas. Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist attorney Denis Hayes organized it as a nationwide teach-in about the environment. Over 10,000 grade schools, 2,000 colleges, and 1,000 communities participated, sending a strong message to political leaders that the environment was part of everyone's lives and needed attention.
Senator Nelson said the purpose of Earth Day was "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda."
"It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked." Some would argue that although many people are more aware of environmental issues today than in 1970, little has been done to stem the tide of environmental destruction in a world where economic health outweighs planetary health.
Beautiful but deadly, the Sun hangs over the Atlantic Ocean. Global warming linked to human emissions of heat-trapping gases is changing the planet's climate. (Photo courtesy
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration）
The first Earth Day's message was heard and in the next few years, sweeping environmental legislation was enacted including the Endangered Species Act, The Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
It was a powerful time of reawakening and it appeared, for a while, that the sobering realization of our impact on the natural world might result in positive change. Species were saved, habitats protected, and development projects were stopped. In New York City, over 100,000 people attended an ecology fair in Central Park. Congress adjourned for the day and over 500 of its members attended teach-ins at universities or made speeches about saving the environment.
What does Earth Day 2001 bring? Will the President join Congress and adjourn for the day to attend teach-ins. They will not be in session, but only because Earth Day falls on a Sunday this year. I don't think we will see many members at teach-ins.
Since the first Earth Day 31 years ago, global population has increased by as much as it did in the last 100,000 years. And as the number of people has grown, the amount of land and resources they must use has also expanded. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened dramatically.
The global economy has more than doubled in the past 31 years, putting pressure on most countries to increase export income. Many have tried to increase revenues by selling more ocean fish, since the increase in crop yields no longer keeps pace with population growth. As a result, overfishing is decimating one species after another, and the catch is getting thinner and thinner.
(Photo （c） J.A. Giuliano)
In the paper manufacturing industry, 94 percent of the world's bleached paper is made using chlorine, a process that results in dioxin and hundreds of other dangerous organochlorines entering into water, soil and the paper itself. Organochlorines have been linked to the increase in breast cancer in women and men and to other diseases. Chlorine free technology has been available for 10 years, but has been slow to be adopted, even though it is cheaper.
Thirty-one years later, I am feeling rather cynical. Earth Day 2001 continues to be a Hallmark card holiday, a day of a few beach clean-ups, marathons, educational booths, plantings, and parades. Many festivals and fairs will be held throughout the U.S. with food, exhibits and, I am sure, many opportunities to buy products to filter our poisoned air and water.
There will be a whole variety of experiences, most press releases for Earth Day events say. Except there will be few demonstrations pledging solidarity to those fighting for the cleanup of our Earth, our seas, and our skies.
We are told that we cannot afford clean air and water and health for our children. Yet in the first few months of 2001, you and I spent over $2 billion buying videos. Brides-to-be will spend over $35 billion on weddings this year, and Americans will spend a staggering $550 billion on gambling. Corporations will spend untold billions on advertising.
Circle of concerned citizens gathers on a California beach （Photo （c） J.A. Giuliano）
But the World Game Institute tells us that we could remove all land mines from the Earth in 10 years for $2 billion per year.
We could provide shelter for everyone on the planet in 10 years for $21 billion per year.
We could also provide health care and AIDS control worldwide for a $21 billion per year investment over 10 years, and eliminate starvation and malnutrition worldwide for $17 billion per year over the same time period.
There are many individuals in the United States who could write checks for these amounts today.
The cost of eliminating starvation and malnutrition is 2.4 percent of the world's total annual military expenditures or 1.9 percent of the world's annual expenditures on illegal drugs. This amount is also about 55 percent of what Americans spend on weight loss programs each year.
The Earth Day website lists hundreds of Earth Day activities around the world. Crowds will gather on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, the second highest peak in the state, for a festival powered in part by wind and solar energy. There will be some excellent discussions and conferences. But nowhere could I find the protests or marches that marked the birth of Earth Day 31 years ago, when 20 million people said, I want a better way to live - not a better way to party.
What will history tell of Earth Day 2001? A cynical entry in a newspaper 100 years from now might read like this:
On the 31st anniversary of Earth Day in 2001, many festivals and craft fairs were held. The street performers were good. A few beaches got cleaned up for a few hours. People went on hikes and many farm animals were petted. Yet while these cute festivals were happening, the following took place, in the United States alone on that day:
- 200,000 tons of edible food was thrown out - more than usual because of the festivals.
- 313 million gallons of fuel was used - a lot of it driving to the festivals - enough to drain 26 tractor-trailer trucks every minute.
- One-quarter of the adults on this planet could not read or write.
- One out of every five people was hungry and malnourished and did not have housing.
- One out of every five people lacked clean drinking water.
- One of every three people lacked adequate health care.
- Worldwide, 60,000 children under the age of five died from bad drinking water.
There were some scattered protests, but for most of the leaders of the United States, it was just another day at the office, counting the lucrative revenue from the day.
On Earth Day 2001, maybe more than ever before in history, we need to reflect seriously on the fact that time may really be running out for our planet's life support systems - and for us.
Maybe Earth Day should be a day of national listening - listening, as Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn says, for the sound of the Earth crying. If we really heard that sound, we could not help but act.
RESOURCES
1. Visit an Earth Day website at: http://www.earthday.org/.
2. For a large list of Earth Day events, visit: http://planet-hawaii.com/cch/
earthday/edhflink.html
3. See a fact sheet on women's health and the environment at: http://www.wedo.org/
monitor/health.htm
4. Read about the increase in organic farming efforts throughout the world at the
Economic Research Service of the U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture.
5. Find out who your Congressional representatives are and e-mail them. Tell them it is time for sweeping environmental changes. If you know your Zip code, you can find them at:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
ziptoit.html.
6. Earth Day 2001 might be a great time to get your family to watch the "Diet for a New America" video by Jon Robbins, possibly the most important 60 minutes you and your family and friends could watch. To get a copy click
here.
7. Visit the World Game Institute at: http://www.worldgame.org/
wwwproject/ for their amazing "What the World Wants Project" to get details on the costs and assumptions presented above. It is a remarkable resource that will open your eyes forever. Send a copy of their chart to every philanthropist and political leader in your community.
{Jackie Alan Giuliano, Ph.D. is a writer and teacher in Seattle. He can be found in his new home in Seattle, waiting for his new baby and looking for meaning in Earth Day. Please send your thoughts, comments, and visions to him at
jackie@healingourworld.com and visit his web site at
http://www.healingourworld.com}
http://ens-news.com/ens/apr2001/2001L-04-20g.html
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