CHRISTEN  E.  CIVILETTO

It happens every April 22nd. People all over the world plaster their social media with stunning pictures of ancient sea turtles, budding flowers, or placid seascapes. We pause to appreciate creation in all its glory. We pledge to use less, recycle more. We are inspired. It’s #EarthDay2016 after all. But as I surf the Internet and enjoy these gorgeous posts, I can’t help but wonder. Have we forgotten that Earth Day is more than a hashtag? We have Gaylord Nelson to thank for th

Great fiction has sometimes changed the way the world thinks. Readers may have identified so closely with a character’s plight that inaction at the end of the story was not an option. Or, an author’s vivid portrayal of filthy housing conditions, chain gangs, or slavery sparked a movement that fostered social change. Books like Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle come to mind. (Sinclair’s novel about the unhealthy conditions in the meatpac

Microbeads are tiny plastic balls that are used in personal care products. They’re the muscle behind facial scrubs. They give toothpaste its shine. A single cosmetic product can contain up to 300,000 beads, each no larger than a grain of salt. Given their small size and widespread use, microbeads seem harmless enough. But they’re not. Microbeads are an environmental hazard that will have far-reaching consequences for the world’s waterways – and any living thing that relies up

Political agendas are getting greener. But is there a hidden downside? More than 30,000 diplomats and delegates from all over the world have gathered in Paris to hash out an agreement that will commit countries to reduce their respective greenhouse gas emissions. The summit is historic. Monumental. And will no doubt ignite an explosion of inventions, start-ups, and government-funded green initiatives. In its wake, we’ll see new ideas and new products. Indeed, Bill Gates has j

Are you the Blamer, Fixer, Liar or Leaver? How would you respond to an environmental catastrophe? It depends, you might say. Is it close? Is there an immediate need, or is this a long-term problem? Are my children suffering? Are my pets having seizures? Does it affect my breathing? How much do I know? Good questions, all. In Green City Savior the main characters all had to decide how they would respond to an environmental disaster. And they each chose differently. Can you see

Christians haven’t exactly been known as the protectors of the planet. They’re sometimes maligned as narrow-minded capitalists who would sacrifice the last green tree on Earth for the sake of corporate profit. Or heartless monsters who would gleefully log the spotted owl into extinction. Stereotyping? Perhaps. But, then again, where was the Christian outcry when the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster rained down radiation on Northern Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and Europe? When po