Earth day

It doesn't seem to be a big year for Earth Day. Last year, it seemed all the TV stations, magazines and papers were running something or other on how to go green, save the planet, conserve. This year, nada. Maybe Mother Nature couldn't compete with the Mormon polygamist sex scandal. That is a tough act to follow, news-wise.

Still, it is encouraging that environmentalism is suddenly mainstream. Green this, green that, it's everywhere. I saw a jaw-dropping ad the other day with Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton sitting together on a sofa on the beach and calling for better stewardship of the planet. As if that weren't shocker enough, Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich took a turn on the couch, too. Republicans in cahoots with Al Gore. Who'd a thunk it?

The earth, of course, is ultimately doomed. Water is scarce, toxins are a permanent part of the biosphere; global warming and nuclear terrorism are grave threats. Global industrialization, human greed and overpopulation will inevitably wipe out and pave over thousand more species. I do not think our great grandchildren will ever see a wild gorilla or a tiger roaming free. We ourselves are not likely to be here forever.

Which leaves us with only today, this day, right now to treasure, protect and preserve everything we can.