Letter from Publisher
Peggy Malecki
Spring is a time of new
beginnings, and we often hear the prefix “re” added to words that describe the
season: rebirth, renewal, regrowth and so forth. Many of these words aptly
apply to our northern seasonal climate, a place where much of the natural world
is invisible to most of us for a few months. After weeks of dreary, gray,
sunless and cold days, we can easily “re”joice in the sounds, scents and colors
of spring! There’s another word that I think is really key to spring—actually
to all 365 days—and that word is reconnect. To me, to reconnect with the Earth
means a daily awareness, ongoing practice and continual reverence in all our
actions for the planet, the myriad forms of life that we share it with and the
soil, water, geology and air we all depend upon for surviving and thriving.
Earth Day was first
celebrated on April 22, 1970. It provided a platform for an awakening
environmental consciousness and helped to elevate public knowledge and awareness
of air pollution and related public health issues. By 1990, Earth Day had
become a global event, and according to EarthDay.org, it’s now
recognized as “the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than
a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and
create global, national and local policy changes.”
As Earth Day has come to
include Earth Week and Earth Month, the focus had broadened to encompass so
much more of how we live, eat, exercise, shop and work. In this month’s issue
of Natural Awakenings Chicago, we explore some of the ways climate
change and public health are linked, as well as mitigating actions we can take.
Our dwellings can be a source of unseen toxins for families and pets alike, so
we’ve included several articles to help with spring cleaning for your home, and
also a look at eco-conscious clothing and pet trends. Evanston-based architect
Nate Kipnis shares his insights on sustainable eco-homes. With writer Sue
Markgraf, author Sheryl DeVore inspires us to discover and share urban wildlife
in the upcoming City Nature Challenge (and be sure to check out Randy Kambic’s
interview with Sheryl in the Wise Words department). And as always, be sure to
turn to our Conscious Eating department for delicious and healthy recipes!
So as we head into this Earth
Month, please ask yourself, “Where do I fit in? What role can I actively take in becoming a steward to
rebalance and refocus how we individually, and as a society, work to care for
and regenerate the health of the Earth and all lives with which we share its
land, seas and skies? How can I positively impact both today and for future
generations?”
I leave you this month as
always with the request to please step outside daily, smell the flowers, listen
to the birds, feel the rain and note the new season as it unfolds.
Happy
spring!
