Lettuce Celebrate Earth Day!

Today marks the 47th anniversary of Earth Day.

I was going to write about the history of Earth Day...about the destructive oil spill off Santa Barbara, California in 1969 that led to a public demand for environmental protections.  Wisconsin Senator, Gaylor Nelson witnessed the damage, and together with Republican, Pete McCloskey co-chaired the first ever Earth Day in 1970.  Harvard University's Denis Hayes was the National Coordinator, mobilizing students in university campuses, many of whom were already active in the Vietnam era anti-war movement.

That first Earth Day was hailed a success, having brought together diverse political, social and economic groups, all wanting to protect the planet for future generations.  It led to the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the following year;  and to the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

I was going to write about the awareness of our dependency on water for crops.  How the California drought focussed attention on the cost of eating healthy.  For vegans, vegetarians, organic foodies, and anyone who enjoys a little LT in their BLT, the drought increased their food costs substantially. So much of what we eat in North America, is grown in California.

Crops need water to grow.  A chart showing the amount of water it takes to bring crops to maturity, if only irrigated water is used (in other words no rain), was a shock.  One grape - not a cluster of grapes - just one grape needs 0.3 gallons, or 1.14 litres of water to grow.  A single strawberry, uses 0.4 gallons, or 1.5 litres of water.  One tomato - never mind a whole tomato plant - needs 3.3 gallons, or 12.49 litres of water, and one head of lettuce needs 3.5 gallons, or 13.25 litres.  One walnut needs 4.9 gallons, or 18.5 litres.  Imagine how much a water it takes to bring a walnut grove to harvest!

This may be a better year for California agriculture, and therefore for North American dinner tables.  At this time last year, more than 70 percent of the State was experiencing Extreme Drought, or worse, Exceptional Drought conditions.

This week and last week, 76.54% of California is experiencing no drought at all.  However, there are still Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought conditions in almost one-third of the State.

I was going to write about all these things...instead, I'll tell you a true story, my favourite vegetarian joke...

Years ago, my youngest sister - who was vegetarian at the time - spent Christmas in Wales, with an Icelandic-Jamaican family.  Her friend's mother was struggling with the concept of a vegetarian diet. Her daughter said, "Mum, she eats potatoes, carrots, onions - everything that comes out of the garden".  The next day, the mother returned from the market, proudly announcing, "I got you some rabbit.  Deh come outta de groun'"!

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widows Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.