The Dark Parts of Yourself

"Confront the dark parts of yourself. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing."

Playwright August Wilson

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

In 1962 U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, realizing that very few people were concerned about environmental issues, decided something needed to be done to protect the environment. He initiated the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency and helped to pass the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Senator Nelson organized the very first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970. On that day, over 20 million people participated, helping to put environmental issues in the limelight. In 1971,the United Nations Secretary General signed a proclamation establishing Earth Day as an official international holiday.

At my daughter's school, we started our Earth Day celebration yesterday, with the planting of three Redbud trees donated by Mr. and Mrs. David Stadler, owners of Stadler Garden Centers (www.stadlergardencenters.com). These trees, located in the front of the school, are a beautiful addition to our landscaping plan and will help to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

To assist our entire community to "Go Green", the PTA provided reusable grocery bags to all students. Please be sure to thank our student Environmental Club (www.follyquartergoesgreen.blogspot.com), our PTA, and our friends at Efficient Home LLC (www.efficienthomellc.com) for supporting this initiative with funds and a presentation to all this morning.

So Long

After thousands of miles of running, trips to dozens of countries, tens of thousands of airplane miles, being dropped, smashed, frozen, doused in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and after six years of faithful service, my iPod has finally died. Fittingly, it froze on Thunder Road.

So long, travel well, sleep deep.

Obama Administration Declares Greenhouse Gases Endanger Public Health

The Environmental Protection Agency April 17 issued a proposed rule declaring that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, a move that lays the groundwork for the agency to begin regulating emissions linked to global warming.

"Concentrations of greenhouse gases are at unprecedented levels compared to the recent and distant past. These high atmospheric levels are the unambiguous result of human emissions, and are very likely the cause of the observed increase in average temperatures and other climatic changes," EPA said.

EPA is undertaking the proposed rulemaking under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act in response to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling related to emissions from motor vehicles. The court said greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and that the agency must either issue an endangerment finding or justify a decision not to (Massachusetts v. EPA, 127 S. Ct. 1438, 63 ERC 2057 (2007)).

Administrator Lisa Jackson signed the proposed rule April 17, and the agency said it would appear in the Federal Register soon. EPA will take comment on the proposed rule for 60 days after it is published.

"This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Fortunately, it follows President Obama's call for a low carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation," Jackson said in a statement. "This pollution problem has a solution—one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country's dependence on foreign oil."

A final rule finding that greenhouse gases endanger health and welfare would lead to regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act, and indirectly to regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources.

EPA cautioned that the finding in itself does not impose any requirements. The agency would have to conduct further rulemaking to impose regulatory requirements on motor vehicles or stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Before taking any steps to reduce greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, EPA would conduct an appropriate process and consider stakeholder input, the agency said.

In announcing the proposed rule, EPA noted that both Obama and Jackson have repeatedly indicated a preference for comprehensive legislation from Congress to address the issue and create the framework for a clean energy economy.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, also stated a preference for having Congress act.

The EPA proposed finding identified six key greenhouse gases that the agency said threaten public health and welfare: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

The proposed rule outlined two key findings: first, that greenhouse gases are pose a danger, and, second, that the combined emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons from new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines contribute to the atmospheric concentrations of the gases and to the threat of climate change.

Under Section 202 (a) (1) of the Clean Air Act, EPA must issue standards for air pollutants from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines that cause or contribute to air pollution "which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare."

Before issuing any standards to regulate emissions, the agency must first determine whether the pollutant may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Second, EPA must decide whether emissions from new motor vehicles or engines cause or contribute to the pollution.

Earth Day Photos

The US Environmental Protection Agency is once again conducting an Earth Day photo project. Click here to see some of the wonderful photographs:

http://www.epa.gov/earthday/photoproject

Maryland Rugby at Maryland Day, April 25

Maryland Day Alumni Game - April 25th

The University of Maryland Rugby team invites all alumni and family to join the current team and former teammates in a day of rugby, fun, food, and celebration.

Maryland Rugby has been active for over 40 years and continues a winning tradition with active support from our alumni. Enjoy all the activities that the university has set up for the day and continue that fun with former teammates and friends during our alumni game. After all the festivities, grab some food and beverages at Sante Fe Restaurant located minutes from the playing field.

We are hoping the college team will have food available for alumni and their family at the field in addition to the opportunity to purchase Maryland Rugby clothing.

A goal for the alumni fundraising will be to purchase a trophy case for the Eppley Recreation center and start to return the 42 years worth of hardware so it can be displayed.

Tenative Schedule
11am PRU HS (club div) championship
12:30 PRU HS (school div) Championship
2pm Alumni matches

Post Match at Sante Fe approx. 4:30

Additional Maryland Day Highlights at:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.marylandday.umd.edu%2F

Forget Yourself

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music -- the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."

Henry Miller

An Irish Easter Blessing

"At the breaking of the Easter dawn
may the Risen Saviour bless your home
with grace and peace from above,
with joy and laughter, and with love
And when night is nigh, and day is done
Make He keep you safe from all harm."

Beannachtaí Ná Cásca oraibh

May the blessings of Easter be upon you.

For a good article on Irish Easter traditions, see Bridget Haggerty's The dance of the Sun at Dawn and a cake dance in the afternoon on the Irish Culture and Customs website. You might also enjoy Easter Saturday and Funeral for a Fish.

When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free

Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes, but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me

Today I dont need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart was going boom boom boom
Hey, I said, you can keep my things, they've come to take me home.

Mix a little foolishness with your prudence: It's good to be silly at the right moment.

Horace

Roman poet