This Earth Day, Celebrate Our Planet Like It's The Only One We Have

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

2017 may well go down as the year of the march. We have marched on Washington, in our hometowns, and on each other's Main Streets. We have protested, raised awareness, and rallied. Each of these actions has shown why we love this country and want to keep it great. But here's the thing – no matter how we view religion, politics, our kids' educations, or public restroom policies, we all share one indisputable fact: We can achieve nothing without clean air to breathe, pure water to drink, and sustainable agricultural practices to grow food.

On April 22, for the 48th time, we will celebrate Earth's vivid coral reefs, lush rain forests, desert sands of Nevada and Africa, and the more than 14 miles of peninsula jutting into Lake Erie right here in our own backyards. This year, Earth Day Network and the March for Science have partnered to raise awareness of our dependence on scientific research to understand earth's changing ecosystems. The main Earth Day march and "teach-in" will take place in Washington, D.C., with a satellite "sister" rally and march scheduled at Perry Square here in Erie.

"Science is a process, not a product – a tool of discovery that allows us to constantly expand and revise our knowledge of the universe," states the March for Science website. In other words, the more we know, the greater power we possess to make viably symbiotic decisions for Earth/human cohabitation.

Make 2017 the year that you celebrate Earth Day the same as any other holiday. Set the day aside and ask your neighbor what she's doing for the Earth on April 22nd. – Ti Sumner

10 a.m. speakers and demonstrations begin; 3 p.m. march // Perry Square, downtown Erie // free admission // More info on Facebook.com