Renewable energy sources – available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air. Accelerating the transition to clean energy is the pathway to a healthy, liveable planet today and for future generations.

In New England alone, about 76% of the land is forested. However, only about 20% of the land is in conserved land status. This slow rate of land protection is particularly troubling in the Northeast, as this region is one of the most populated in the US, with a steady positive population growth trajectory. 1-in-3 Americans do not have access to a park or other outdoor space within a 10-minute walk of their home. Forests are needed now more than ever - they protect our planet, which in turn sustains us.

From bog turtles to barn owls, Connecticut is home to some of the most endangered animals in the world. The Connecticut Endangered Species Act, passed in 1989, recognizes the importance of our state’s plant and animal populations and the need to protect them from threats that could lead to their extinction. The overall goal of the legislation is to conserve, protect, restore and enhance any endangered or threatened species and their essential habitat.

Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. That’s one out of every three bites of food you eat. Pollinators also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. Habitat loss, disease, parasites, and environmental contaminants have all contributed to the decline of many species of pollinators. It is imperative that we take steps to restore pollinator health.

Trees and the environment provide widespread public health benefits, encouraging healthier lifestyles that in turn reduce the prevalence of obesity and related chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Beyond our physical health, emerging research indicates that forests may improve our cognitive, emotional, and psychological health as well. Research shows that contact with nature restores attention, and promotes recovery from mental fatigue and the restoration of mental focus.

Sharing stories, enjoying music, making and appreciating workmanship - such human undertakings connect us and enrich our lives. Through humanities, we can expand our minds and imagine a better future for ourselves and future generations. Humanities cultivate our collective vision, inspiration, creativity, innovation, curiosity, and wisdom.