At no time in its history, has the earth been threatened as it is today. Forget the nuclear bombs; a more pervasive and ominous disaster portends–total collapse of the ecosphere. What used to be mentioned as a hypothetical scenario is now a reality. The human population is rapidly bringing doom upon all of earth's inhabitants through ignorance, greed, and lack of interest. It may already be too late to stem the tide, for how can we stop the total destruction of the rain forests, wanton pollution of the air and water, and degradation of the ozone layer with the absence of global governmental control? We are unable to put a stop to the destructive forces at work in the United States, much less convince the rest of the world to cooperate in a joint endeavor to save itself. And it will take a world-wide effort–but how?

A number of activist groups are at work today trying to bring to the attention of the public and governmental authorities the seriousness of the problem, in the hope that by developing a ground-swell of concern something worthwhile might emerge.

One of the special things that you can do is to participate in EARTH DAY. This year, its twentieth anniversary, Earth Day will be recognized on April 22, as part of the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Week. The motto for this year is “Earth Day, Every Day.”

In Kansas, most cities will have special programs; in Topeka, a speech on the Capitol steps by Governor Hayden, tree plantings, and other activities are scheduled. If you are not aware of Earth Day you should be. Request information from the Governor's Office; Kansas Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 5715, Topeka, KS 66605; or Emporia Earth Day Committee, ESU, Box 50, Emporia, KS 66801. You, and everyone, should participate, become informed, and be active in the preservation of the earth everyday, starting now! The threat that I posed is not an idle one–it is real. Read a copy of the February-March issue of National Wildlife and see how bad it is!

-- Robert F. Clarke, Ph.D., Editor