Earth Day 2016 -- two landmark events

Earth Day, April 22, 2016, marked a significant accomplishment with two major events that show what can be done, if we have the collective will to do so.

1.   More than 175 countries signed the climate change agreement drafted earlier at the Paris Conference.   This is the first time this many have come together to agree to take action to save our planet and to commit their governments to participate in a joint effort.

2.  A specially designed plane, using nothing but solar-powered energy, was completing its three-day, non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean.   This leg of the flight began in Hawaii and ended as it soared over San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge 62 hours later.   This was part of a round-the-world flight that began over a year ago in Dubai, with stops so far in Oman, Myanmar, China, Japan, and Hawaii.

The experimental plane, which uses not a drop of fuel, is powered by 17,248 solar cells mounted in its wings.   Constructed of carbon fiber, it is 200 times lighter than a Boeing 747.  It's maximum speed is only 90 miles an hour -- but it's a start, and it proves this can be done.

Ralph