“Hope and Help for Our Common Home” was the theme of this year’s third annual earth month dinner at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Arlington, sponsored by the OLQP Integrity of Creation Committee, April 25.
Guest speaker Mike Tidwell discussed his book, “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue,” which chronicles how one street reflected climate change over three decades. Tidwell, founder and director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and a founding member of Interfaith Power and Light, shared his personal story that has global implications for our common home.
After the Saturday Vigil Mass, 70 attendees enjoyed a complimentary plant-based soup supper. Spiritan Father Tim Hickey, pastor, gave the blessing to start the evening. A dozen soups offered were prepared with recipes from around the world including curries, Haitian black bean and Greek farro soups.
Tidwell detailed how his Takoma Park neighborhood lost 1,200 trees and 42 acres of tree canopy, including many white oaks, a keystone species, totaling hundreds of years of growth. The loss of trees contributed to the flooding of his church, threatening the safety of the church preschool students. Arborists attributed the cause of the disease that killed the trees to climate change.
Despite the many negative environmental impacts, the reduction of tree canopy has also inspired some positive actions. Residents have added solar panels to formerly shaded roofs and now grow vegetables and flowers in the newly sunny areas of their yard.
The earth month event was nearly zero waste. The tables were set with cotton tablecloths and napkins, bamboo plates and bowls, and reusable glasses. Wildflowers from a parishioner’s yard were arranged in repurposed glass jars. Food waste was collected for composting. Paper, cardboard and cans were recycled.
Often asked by people what they can do individually to make a difference, Tidwell encourages people to join a group to combat climate change. “While individual actions are good, groups are what make social change happen,” he said.
