The Environmental Forum

The rails-to-trails concept is famous, celebrated throughout the nation. Millions of Americans use the trails for recreation and transportation. Forty years later, it’s time to acclaim the two behind-the-scenes staffers who made a miracle happen on Capitol Hill.

Many countries have made progress in legally recognizing and protecting land and forest tenure rights. But the water rights of indigenous and local communities have received far less attention, despite their role in supporting equitable and sustainable development.

Overcoming new challenges like the COVID-19 virus or older ones like climate change depends on the facts. Unfortunately, the legal system has not risen to the related challenge of protecting scientific integrity nor even researchers themselves, despite laws designed to prevent abuse.

Environmental and health professionals can benefit by learning the story the sea has to tell about knowing your destination, bringing the whole crew on board, and making port despite stormy seas and contrary winds. What’s your metaphor for managing your career?

Environmental protection in large measure means protecting public health. Thousands of professionals work at safeguarding lives and livelihoods through measures to reduce exposure and resulting disease. It is important to draw lessons from one facet of the fight for life — and how society implements measures to counter a threat — for possible application in another. COVID-19 offers a prime example.