Methane Gas, PSR's 9th Compendium + Constitutional Rights

This week the 9th edition of the Compendium of Scientific, Medical and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking and Associated Gas and Oil Infrastructure came out from health leaders, Concerned Health Professionals of NY, Science & Environmental Health Network and Physicians for Social Responsibility. This ongoing research continues to be used and referenced throughout the entire planet.

Added to this compendium is a piece on the “combustion of fracked gas inside homes via kitchen stoves, hot water heaters, and furnaces” given they each create health and climate harms and a focus on case studies in California and Florida. Not unrelated, this week also produced the report from HEATED: The Urgent Need for Methane Literacy.

The effects of methane are known but not acted upon. Scientific evidence has been up against a long, well-funded effort to misinform the public and ensure the greed of oil and gas industry puppets remains thriving. Industry marketers are using terms to wage war with the future.

This strikes a specific chord in our Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Rachel Dawn Davis, as she has for over 12 years been speaking with municipal, state, and federal leadership about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, namely due to its use of copious amounts of fresh water and undisclosed chemicals. She is still baffled by the lack of knowledge amongst these decision makers; knowledge is power. The industry is hoping people remain in the dark.

People have the power to stop industry and we can prevent sacrifice zones when we realize our rights to clean air, clean water, a stable climate and healthy environment. Listen to this recent Tri-County Sustainability meeting, feature of Maya van Rossum, Green Amendment movement pioneer.

She recounts how in Pennsylvania, the Green Amendment defeated a pro-fracking law put forth by the commonwealth of PA. In Montana, industrial gold mining operations were halted; permits were voided because they violated constitutional entitlements of the people. These permits were noticeably not reissued. Prevention is the best policy; New Jersey needs a Green Amendment. If you agree, get in touch with us and help make it a reality.

The Dirty Gas Plant Slated for Woodbridge is Scrapped!

May we celebrate wins! Thank you for all who came to Woodbridge or Trenton or anything inbetween!

While providing tonight’s New Jersey Transit Board’s public comment on behalf of Waterspirit’s community, our Public Policy & Justice Organizer learned that Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) stopped pursuit of the unnecessary dirty gas project slated for the overburdened Keasbey section of Woodbridge. This is a testament to consistent advocacy cohesion and education across municipalities, watersheds.

Here are a couple news clips regarding this victory for those breathing air in the vicinity.

Holy Debated 2nd Power Plant Proposed for Low Income Area is Withdrawn

CPV Pulls Plug on Woodbridge Gas Plant

Waterspirit continues to offer training to amplify the ways in which we can all be of most use with our voices as watershed advocates. Check out our Calls to Action page and get involved.

Microplastic Monitoring Volunteers Find Nurdles and More.

A week ago Waterspirit’s Program Manager, Anne Price, and volunteers, Maryrose and Bill Little, met at Snug Harbor in Highlands, NJ to sample for microplastics in the sand. We are sorry to say, we found plenty of plastics. It was easy to see plastic litter such as cigarette tips, broken toys, bottle caps and more. But as we screened the sand and looked closer we discovered many microplastics that we might not have noticed. Unfortunately, wildlife notices those tiny bits. They often mistake the microplastic for food, especially the nurdles. Nurdles are tiny pellets used to make plastic products. Accidental spillage and mishandling means billions of nurdles end up in the ocean, creating problems within the marine ecosystem. That may be how plastics enter the food chain. We will keep doing our part to protect the sacred water.

NEW: The Journal of Mental Health & Climate Change

Waterspirit’s Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, witnessed the impact Superstorm Sandy had, reverberating years later and viscerally felt the effects when learning of support received by our special nonprofit. Thus, since 2019, Waterspirit has offered eco-anxiety support through private program curation as well as a 10 week support group modeled off the Good Grief Network’s, 10 Steps.

We are relaying from the Mental Health & Climate Change Alliance this inaugural issue of the Journal of Mental Health & Climate Change. If you are interested in contributing to the journal, we encourage you to follow the instructions and do so! This work requires interdisciplinary collaboration and introspection. Thank you for spending the time to protect, rejuvenate and generally care for Earth.

As usual, please reach out if you have any questions about our contemplative programming, our advocacy campaigns and anything in-between via water@waterspirit.org

Nature Makes People Healthier!

Waterspirit knows that safe, accessible and high-quality green and blue spaces can have positive impacts on human health and well-being. Exposure to nature has been linked to improved attention, lower stress, better mood, even increase empathy and cooperation. Exposure to forests and trees boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, improves mood, increases energy level, increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD. Exposure to blue spaces promotes calmness and stimulates healing. Spending time in blue spaces lowers the risk of stress, anxiety, obesity, cardiovascular disease and premature death.

The following credible resources provide scientific data regarding the health benefits of blue and green spaces.

Open and print the PDF files below for your home, office or classroom:

Waterspirit school, club and camp programming offers children the opportunity to mindfully experience nature and deepen their connections to nature, which increases their wellbeing and sets the stage for them to be future lovers and protectors of the earth.

Do you agree that kids are healthier and happier when they spend time in nature? Join the NJ Kids in Nature Coalition. Waterspirit is in the coalition along with other environmental groups, teachers, pediatricians, parents, grandparents, and more. For more info, visit the website here: NJkidsinNature.org

Hire Waterspirit for your business

Waterspirit can be hired by your business to conduct mindfulness programs for the wellness of your employees. Programs can be conducted online or in-person, at your location or ours. Email Water@Waterspirit.org to inquire.

Johnson & Johnson recently hired Waterspirit to host an online Mindfulness and Nature workshop for their employees.

““I LOVED the mindfulness webinar. It was so relaxing and a great reminder to practice breathing and centering myself daily...Anne was fantastic!””
— Christine, Johnson & Johnson Employee

“In New Jersey, Teaching Climate Change to the Next Generation” Featuring NJ Educator Carolyn McGrath

We need to educate each living generation about the potential mitigation and resiliency measures that can be taken preventatively today to alleviate the crises caused by climate emergency. This is critical to the work Waterspirit does, especially with regards to clean energy, stormwater management and green infrastructure.

People in New Jersey have taken the lead on incorporating climate change education standardization into K-12 curricula and it has not been easy.

We are proud to highlight one of our favorite educators, Carolyn McGrath, who demonstrates what is possible when incorporating science, advocacy and art for students, their families and the outer communities she continues to reach. You may recall, Waterspirit’s team asked for you to sign a letter in support of this standardization including mathematics and English language arts when it was being challenged. We thank you for your ongoing activism. Educators like Carolyn need our unwavering, active support. Check out her latest quotes in the most recent article listed below.

Many US Schools Aren’t Teaching About Climate Change. Students Aren’t Happy About That via USA Today, 9/24/23

New Jersey Requires Climate Change Education. A Year In, Here’s How It’s Going via NPR 8/21/23

In New Jersey, Teaching Climate Change to the Next Generation via UNDARK 11/14/22