April 21, 2026: What have we done to the earth?

Savannah “celebrates” Earth Day 56 on Friday, April 24 and we welcomed Beth Remmes, a local Congregational member of the Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, an organization that connects faith communities to the planet.  Beth discussed what GIPL is doing to help save the earth.  These include advocacy to reduce energy consumption, take advantage of solar power opportunities, and much more.  GIPL offers match grants for homeowners implement energy savings solutions in their homes.  This application period opens 5/1/26.  More information can be found at the GIPL web site: https://www,gipl.org.  

We discussed three major environmental challenges in 2026:  war, data centers, and mining for rare earth minerals destroy our habitat and expend funds that could be used to help save the earth instead of destroying it.   Beth introduced us to the concept of biomimicry, the practice of studying nature’s designs, processes and systems and applying those strategies to solve human problems.  The results can range from faster trains to bacteria-resistant hospital surfaces, more effective wind turbines and more.  In terms of rare earth minerals, we talked about tailing, capturing these minerals from the residue and waste from other operations, such as coal ash.  

Next week on Voices of Resistance, we will discuss how Savannah and other communities around the country will use May Day, Friday, May 1 to honor the martyrs of Haymarket, support labor in its efforts to secure a living wage and safe, supportive working conditions, and stop a system that no longer promotes constitutional democracy.