By Cathy Allen, Special to the AFRO Last week I was on social media and ran across a post with a lovely picture of a honey bee covered in pollen inside a flower bloom with the caption, “Maryland will be the first state to ban pesticides and save the bees.’ Unfortunately, that is environmental fake […]
Author Archives: Cathy Allen
AFRO Science Writer
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The Power of Plants to Heal
I truly believe that plants have a natural connection with all life. That connection in humans brings forth stimulation of the five senses, body balance and healing energy. For plants, it provides the bond of natural living connectiveness. Every plant has its own characteristics to tantalize our various senses through its array of shapes, colors, […]
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Sensory Gardening Stimulating Seniors
Last year my company was contracted to install an indoor edible herb garden at a senior living facility in Frederick, Md. Nearby, setting on a couch in the activity room where the installation was taking place, was a nonresponsive man that suffered a stroke a few months ago, sitting next to his wife who was […]
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Black America on Target to Save the Environment
Black folks and people of color make up 38 percent of our nation’s population but with only 12 percent are in leadership positions in environmental organizations. Now, if you think that’s just a Black problem, think again. It’s now become one of our nation’s biggest dilemma, under our current administration. Black inner-city communities have historically […]
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Trump’s Environmental Bold Picks and Plays
Bold Picks So far, Trump’s cabinet picks look like shelves of motor oil cans arranged from premium oil to mid-grade. This sludge is toxic, harmful, and dangerous. Trump’s Secretary of State pick is Rex Tillerson, chief executive of ExxonMobil. Tillerson has many ties with foreign leaders surrounding oil issues. His appointment might complicate and compromise […]
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The Earth Needs You to Re-Connect
There are simply ways you can join the environmental community working to tackle climate change; from taking personal actions that limits your personal use of greenhouse gases emissions to the way you recycle and the way you vote by signing environmental petitions that speak directly to your elected officials. The following list is certainly not […]
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How to Stump Trump and Save the Environment
As an environmentalist, I am bracing myself for the worst case scenarios our current elected president and his administration could implement. In recent years, the world has slowed its impact on the environment by making strides in sustainable and renewable energy sources and, finally, recognizing that climate change is real. The world is looking at […]
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Why African Americans Must Fight for the Environment
As the environment columnist for the AFRO, I have provided environmental and sustainable living information on various topics from “The Greener Side of Real Estate” to “How to Avoid G.M.O.’s in Foods” and recently, “Trump Stance on the Environment is a Disgrace.” As an environmentalist, my work is to give honor to the living, breathing, […]
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Trump Stance on the Environment is a Disgrace
For years now I have been spreading the message to protect, preserve, and to give honor to the very being that all life resides upon, EARTH. Our newly-elected president, Donald Trump has a very different message. His stance is to protect, preserve and to give honor to businesses only. Forgetting and dismissing the environment issues […]
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EPA Reaches Out to Communities of Color
The Environmental Protection Agency was established on Dec. 2, 1970 under Republican President Nixon in the wake of elevated concerns about the environment. On Oct. 28, 2016, the EPA released their 5-year environmental justice plan covering the years 2016-2020. What does the plan entail and how will it effect people of color? There is finally […]
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EPA Works to Protect All of America
The EPA-Environmental Protection Agency was established on December 2, 1970 under Republican President Richard Nixon’s administration in the wake of elevated concerns about the environment. On October 28, 2016, the EPA released their 5-year Environmental Justice-EJ strategic plan for advancing environmental justice for the years 2016-2020. What does the plan entail and how would that […]
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Gardening: A Healthful Medicine for Seniors
Over the past year, I have been active with seniors presenting hands-on environmental projects at nursing and assisted living facilities. I know as an environmental educator, working with the soil through gardening exercises promotes all over good health for people and the environment. In today’s society, we as humans have detached ourselves from nature. As […]