Earth Day Then and Now

I’ve been known to “recycle” past writing for newer pieces. I’ve often had additional insights or refined my craft a bit more since the original work, and I much prefer revising over starting from a blank page. Recently I discovered MUCH earlier writing and was surprised by its relevance today.

I began this year with a major downsizing of my home art studio so I could add my writing desk and bookshelves to that space. I now have two, light-filled areas for my creative work. Most of my visual art for the past twenty years has involved bookbinding and other paper arts, and the clean-out uncovered some treasures. One was a handbound book I made titled Then and Now. The variation of a dos à dos binding—two books in one—included memorabilia from my high school graduation in 1971 on one side (then) and on the other side, photos and reflections from my 30^th high school reunion (now – which has also become then). 

One memory from “then” came from the high school newspaper. I was startled to discover a copy of one of the pieces I wrote for my column, “Let’s Talk It Over.”  I barely remember those days as a columnist, and I have no recollection of writing this piece published in April 1970.  When I came across it during the downsizing, I was stunned by my fervor—and the amount of research I did without the benefit of Google. Here it is, fifty years later, un-revised. And yes, Stacey Northcote was my name then. How I became Iris Graville is another story, for another time.

As we approach the now of the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day,  I’m grateful to have this perspective from my 17-year-old, anti-pollution self.  She wondered what Earth Day 2000 would be like, probably not able to really imagine a time so far into the future. Yet, she guides me now as I work on essays about the climate crisis facing us on Earth Day 2020. Even in the midst of a pandemic, I still believe, like her, it’s vital we act to heal the earth—every day.