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

I’ve heard this saying more times than I care to count. “You Can’t Fight City Hall.” Essentially, people are saying that it’s foolish to fight a battle you’ll inevitably lose. You’ll get tangled in a bureaucratic nightmare from which you’ll never emerge unscathed. You can’t, so you shouldn’t even try. I think that’s ridiculous. Let’s be clear: When you’re standing against wrong things, you can fight City Hall. And win. Let’s start with having the right frame of mind. Thinking

Your responses to the first two posts continue to pour in. Bring ‘em on. I want to hear from you, but, more importantly, others need to hear from you, too. I’m not exactly sure what form that should take, but I welcome your suggestions. I’ve already contacted one health agency, and, despite a few obstacles, I’m in the process of providing some follow-up information to it. If you’ve observed unusual levels of illness in your neighborhood or your family, or if you’ve noticed so