MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Throughout history humans have walked to obtain clarity, spiritual guidance, health & wellness. More than sixty Great Ohio Climate Marchers assembled with the intention of bringing greater public awareness about the health dangers of hydraulic gas/oil drilling on public lands (including our state parks) and the environmental/health risks of mega data centers. More than 95% of the marching participants were senior citizens. Third Act and BEN (Buckeye Environmental Network) were the primary sponsors of this march. Each participant had their own reasons for being part of this movement. For some it was a sense of adventure and curiosity as to whether they could hike up to twelve miles a day. Others were frustrated and/or depressed about the ecological state of our world. All had visions that a healthy and more vibrant future was possible.
Starting outside of Athens the Buckeye Trail was overgrown, but despite walking through knee high grasses and veering around poison ivy vines, we viewed magnificent displays of wildflowers, and fallow corn fields that were bursting with golden ragwort blooms. One day over 42 different bird songs were heard. As the terrain changed so did the diversity. While strolling through an area previously strip mined it was significantly more silent. Walking past stagnant ponds which housed decades old mining compounds, no frogs were heard and few birds and insects were evident.
The days we marched by smelly conventional and horizonal gas/oil wells were challenging. Breathing in noxious chemicals immediately gave many marchers headaches, burning eyes and/or a burning sensation in their throats. Chris DiGiulio of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Pennsylvania (PSP) said, “You don’t need expensive equipment to monitor what you are exposed to. Just listen to your body because your body sensations are one of the best biosensors for detecting pollution.” As each of us tuned into what we were sensing, Chris shared how research is showing an increase in asthma, rare childhood leukemia, low fertility, and cancers with those who live within three miles of a shale well. Chris explained that science has shown the air and radioactivity from shale gas/oil wells and injection wells is deadly not only to humans but also to animals. Cows that grazed near shale gas/oil wells were found to have radioactive bones. After hearing this, all marchers moved even faster and readily hurried up the steep hill to get away from the toxins.
One day we drove to a mammoth gas/oil drilling/processing facility and glancing through Chris’ FLIR camera everyone could view the massive air pollution spewing from the flared gas. Flaring the excess gas/chemicals from wells is necessary in order to keep the well from exploding. Research has shown that flared toxic air emissions can travel up to a hundred miles away. We had to leave the site early as the wind gales shifted and started coming our way. As the wind intensified, torrential rain pelted our vehicles. With tears in their eyes many marchers said prayers. Having three Catholic nuns, Jewish elders, four Quakers, and a smorgasbord of people with other spiritual/indigenous beliefs we were an eclectic group. Strong winds sideswiped the vans, but as we neared Seneca Lake the winds diminished, the sun returned and a beautiful double rainbow emerged. The rainbow ended in Seneca Lake. With awe we gazed at the rainbow colors radiating in Seneca Lake’s waters. A dozen years ago, environmental activist, Lea Harper, moved from her beloved Seneca Lake home due to the excessive air pollution from the shale gas/oil wells that were drilled in the area. When I shared the rainbow story with Lea she said “This gives me goosebumps and fills me with hope that together we can make a difference.”
Cathy Cowan Becker, of Save Ohio Parks, shared how she recently purchased a new home in the Columbus area and shortly thereafter construction began across the street. Later, she discovered a mega data center was being built. Cathy shared with us her concerns about the excessive energy and water needs for the data center. Also, after copious amounts of water is used to cool the data center components, this water is now filled with carcinogenic forever chemicals. In New Albany we saw several mega data centers being constructed.
On the last day of the march, additional participants from across the state joined us for the last 2.8 miles to the Ohio Statehouse. In front of the statehouse there was a rousing rally with thunderous applause.
Right now, mankind is at a crossroads. Already the life span in the United States is lower than other developed countries. Having carcinogenic air emissions/water pollution and radioactivity from shale drilling in our state parks and public lands, along with the water pollution from mega data centers will not be helping your health or the health of future generations.
Please act now. Contact your local/state politicians about your concerns. If your state representative voted yes for SB219 ask them why they voted to allow surface drilling in Ohio state parks and public lands which we the people are paying taxes to enjoy. And this November I urge you to consider being a public health voter.
You can sign a petition for a statewide moratorium on mega data centers at www.conserveohio.com
Also, please share your visions of how you want the future to look. City officials in Hiram encouraged local students to draw how they wanted the city of Hiram to be in the future. It was humbling and inspiring to see their diverse and often feasible ideas. What if each of us imagined not only how we would like our homes/farms to look in the near future, but expanded our visions to our nearby townships/villages/cities and county? What do you want? Personally, I would love to see pollinator gardens lining our streets, edible food forests in our parks, a plethora of farm to table restaurants where locally grown nutritionally rich produce/grains are the main ingredients. Right now, our country imports most of its organic soybeans. What if Portage County became known for growing organic soybeans which healed our people and enriched our soil? What future do you envision for your children/grandchildren? Choose wisely, starting with your vote.
Now is the time not only to stand up for what you believe in, and to hold our politicians and lawmakers accountable, but to dream and build an even more beautiful and healthy world.
"The future depends on what we do in the present." Mahatma Gandhi
