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 Since moving to Florida two years ago, I have noticed the changes in season are quite subtle and require much more attention than do the changes in New York where I had spent most of my life. Living by the seashore, most of my observations concern the changes in the ocean. It is in the autumn when the ocean temperatures drop and the seas cool. Marine and avian life shifts. Jelly fish and Portuguese man of war come to visit. Great flocks of birds pass overhead or arrive for the winter. Our beaches (and roads) begin to get more crowded and a chill is in the air some evenings. Autumn has arrived and even the palm trees change subtly.
But while weather and seasonal changes are easy to see, the deeper and more profound changes in climate are more difficult to recognize, appreciate and deal with. There has been an appreciable warming of our planet and greenhouse gases are said to be the culprit. This warming is of huge concern as it can have huge effects on us in the years to come. Some say the damage is already irreparable. Others say we still have time to make changes. It is something we have to deal with and once again it comes to the NHA to speak out on behalf of the health of its members and all who have no voice. This year I was fortunate to travel north during the fall foliage season. I was in Wisconsin last month for some meetings, one of which I will describe here. While driving from Milwaukee to Madison on I-94 I was blessed to see so much beautiful yellow, orange and red. It was a wonderful ride on way to see two of our longtime and most generous members, Bob and Irwin Goodman. I stopped by to visit them to thank them for all the support that they have given us over the years. They used to be regular attendees of annual conferences, but now travel is more difficult. I wanted to stay in touch and let them know about our members, the projects we have taken on, and the possibility for growth in our future. They let me know that they are very happy and proud of our organization. They are especially happy with the work of our executive director Lynn Grudnik and told me to give all of you the message to keep up the good work. Keep supporting and contributing to the NHA. They told me to raise more money and do more good! As we continue to DO GOOD by spreading the message of HEALTH THROUGH HEALTHFUL LIVING, we continue to meet others that are doing the same. One of these kindred spirits is Gene Baur, director and founder of Farm Sanctuary. In his article (included in the fall issue of Health Science magazine) and also in his book Farm Sanctuary, Gene Baur describes how factory farming of animals affects greenhouse gases, global warming, the earth’s climate and the lives of all who inhabit here. And while these practices are horrific for the animals, they are also very bad for our environment and climate. We can no longer speak or write about our personal health without considering these effects. Eating meat no longer only has a deleterious effect upon those who eat it, but also on all of us that cohabit the planet Earth! So what is there to do? We must continue to speak out and inform and educate. We (the NHA) will continue to support those who are in alignment with our mission and goals. And I believe that the greater threat of global warming must become a greater priority for all of us. Our personal health is now, more than ever, tied to planetary health. We must expand our message to include the health of our planet. If not us, who? |
