Santa Maria had more teen pregnancies than any city in America when I moved here in 1960. I taught contraception in my biology classes at Allan Hancock College. I started Planned Parenthood, which was very small and controversial at first. Now, it’s a very busy place with about 25 excellent employees. I mention this as part of my Earth Day celebration, which will meet at 10 a.m. at the west end of Willow Road in Nipomo to legally walk along Highway 1 to the entrance of the Phillips 66 Santa Maria Refinery, at which time I will turn around and walk back. As I am 90, I promise to go slow.

The number of Homo sapiens on this tiny planet has gone from less than 2 billion to 7.5 billion in just one person’s lifetime (mine). In nature, population explosions are always followed with a population collapse. We are “ripe.” I’ve tried my best to change the direction that our culture is headed for the sake of my offspring. At 90, I am glad I will not experience the impending collapse. Don’t say you were not warned.