Hello blog world!
Happy Earth Day 2016 to you all!! After a few month hiatus from blogging, I am overjoyed to report back to you as doctor of science! Yes, after many years in grad school, I have successfully defended and submitted my dissertation =) Aka the long road has ended, and a new chapter has opened. And what better day to return to the blogging world than Earth Day?! It’s only the funniest coincidence that the end of my long road as a student of environmental science has reached its climax on this particular day, Earth Day! Yes, my dissertation was officially due to the Registrar today. A suitable conclusion date to say the least!
To shed light on important news, today also marks a very special Earth Day for the international community and world as it relates to climate change. Today at the United Nations headquarters in New York, representatives from 175 nations have gathered to sign the historic Paris Climate Accord. Following years of U.N. climate negotiations, this marks a critical first step in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Importantly, the treaty is non-binding. However, drawing from history, this does not necessarily render it less effective. Rather, because it is non-binding, nations from across the globe have joined the table. And with voluntary reduction targets and annual follow up, we have finally set in motion important and widespread climate action. Actions and future commitments will only strengthen in time.
Finally, given this wonderful Earth Day, what better time to debut my first public service announcement (PSA)?? This PSA, titled “Help Save the Oceans with the Beach Boys,” advocates for the cleanup and prevention of water pollution, and is set to display on cable networks and city website throughout the country! Importantly, garbage and chemical waste run-off affects more than just the beauty of our rivers, lakes, and oceans. It damages marine life, threatens aquatic ecosystems, and even works its way into the human body through fish consumption. It’s therefore critical to dispose of waste properly and encourage others to do the same.
Shedding light on this issue is something I am proud to be a part of. I owe an enormous thank you to Frank Lane at COLAnow.org for inviting me aboard this project. His committed efforts are what made this PSA possible. And a big thanks to the classic rock band The Beach Boys for taking part in our important message! Without further delay, I present to you...
Help Save the Oceans with the Beach Boys
Please help spread awareness of this issue by sharing this video on Facebook and other media outlets! It can be your earthly Earth Day deed! :D For more information, visit COLAnow.org.
Also, be sure to join this blog! Simply click “join this site” at the top right of this page, log into your account, and click “follow publicly.” Thanks and happy Earth Day!!!
-Shahir Masri, S.D.
