Columnist Susan Snyder: Environment suffering exhaustion

Thursday, April 21, 2005 | 8:16 a.m.

Earth Day is Friday, and the good news is a Gallup Poll shows 66 percent of Americans are worried about the quality of the environment.

The bad news is they have good reasons for worrying, the Gallup Tuesday Briefing report says.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, released by the United Nations in March and prepared by 1,300 experts in 95 countries, says about 60 percent of the planet's fresh water, air and climate stability is being used unsustainably, according to the report.

That's a complicated way of saying we are degrading or using up the elements that sustain life on Earth faster than we are replenishing them. More than half of those polled said protection of the environment should be given priority over economic growth and energy supply development.

Non-whites were more concerned about the quality of the environment than whites -- 43 percent compared to 31 percent respectively, the poll says. And 20 percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Democrats said they "worry a great deal" about it.

But protecting the environment that sustains us isn't about race or political affiliation.

It's about building a sustainable future -- something that lasts longer than stucco and asphalt.

A local agency that is opening a new "drop-in" center for homeless teens could use a few housewarming donations to help these wayward youths get back on their feet.

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is moving its headquarters from Henderson to a place across the street from UNLV, where it will also open a day center for teens who need a place to shower, get food, clean clothes, call home or simply rest somewhere safe.

The new center in Suite E of 4800 Maryland Parkway is closer to the areas where homeless pre-teens and teens live, said Bob Bellis, the program's street outreach director.

"So many of these kids are strung out on drugs, and they don't trust people anymore," Bellis said. "We'll take them as far as they want to go."

But first, they have to get the teens to stick around.

"By having the bus passes there, having the calling cards there, and having the air hockey or Xbox, well, hopefully they'll come back," Bellis said.

The center needs towels, shower and personal hygiene supplies, a television with a DVD or video player, a PlayStation, Xbox, vending machines, backpacks (used is OK), nonperishable food and gift cards to stores, such as Target, in $20 amounts.

To donate, call 383-1332.

And finally, did a seat belt -- or the lack of one -- change your life?

The Safe Community Partnership wants to hear about it, and you have until May 15. The nonprofit group is publishing people's seat-belt stories in a book to be released during the "Click It or Ticket" campaign that runs from May 23 through June 6.

Authors whose stories are chosen will be honored at a May 20 breakfast with police officers and other dignitaries, Erin Breen, the partnership's executive director, said.

"We'll have a whole roomful of folks whose lives were changed by seat belts," Breen said.

E-mail stories to erin@trc.unlv.edu, or fax them to 895-4401. If neither of those options works for you, call Breen at 895-1780.

And, wear your seat belt.