Earth Day – The Lorax at the Lewis Theatre

In honor of Earth Day, Greenworks invited Greenbrier County elementary school students from Alderson and White Sulphur Springs for a free showing of The Lorax at the Lewis Theatre in Lewisburg.

Dr. Seuss wrote The Lorax almost 50 years ago about the importance of protecting and taking care of the environment – and the message has only grown more powerful.

A young boy searches for a way to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. He discovers the story of the Once-ler, an ambitious entrepreneur and the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect the environment.

This child’s adventure exposes him, and us, to a much larger story – one of an environment that must be protected against those who would profit from it. Unchecked greed can be a threat to nature.

“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

Trees serve us in many ways! Trees are a natural air filter, removing pollutant gases and other harmful particles from the air we breathe. Also, when trees are harvested responsibly, they become a renewable resource that we utilize daily – trees provide us lumber for houses, school paper, cardboard and so much more.

When we recycle paper and cardboard, the need to harvest more trees is reduced. Paper can be recycled 6 or 7 times!

Thankfully, over 68 million tons of paper and related products are recovered annually in the U.S., a recycling rate of over 64 percent – which is fantastic! Through education and the actions of young people just like you – we recycle a bit more paper every year!

Respect for the environment helps us preserve the planet for ourselves and future generations. That respect can live in harmony with progress.

The University of Southern Indiana reports that every ton of recycled paper can spare 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, 7,000 gallons of water and three cubic yards of space at the landfill.

The cost to construct a paper mill that will use recycled paper is significantly lower than the investment required for a mill relying on fresh pulp.

Over one-third of new paper is produced with recycled fiber. Other fiber sources include whole trees and plants, and residue from sawmills. By weight, paper comprises more than a third of all recyclables collected in the US.

By reducing our usage, reusing everything possible, and recycling anything we can – we minimize our collective strain on the planet.

Plant a tree; conserve water and electricity! Use less plastic! Use paper bags! Consider ways to live more sustainably and with less impact on the environment.

In the words of Dr. Seuss: UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE YOU CARES A WHOLE AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS GOING TO GET BETTER. IT’S NOT.