Until We Meet Again
By Lina Younes
I’m glad to have been contributing to Greenversations since it was launched back in April, 2008. For the past three years, I’ve been part of the effort to produce bilingual blog posts every Thursday. I’ve covered a wide variety of environmental health issues during that time. My goal has been to increase environmental awareness to English and Spanish-speaking audiences in the U.S. and worldwide. Essentially, I have wanted to convey one central message: the steps we take in our daily lives, whether at home, at school, in the office, or our community, have a direct impact on our health and the environment as a whole.
I’ve truly enjoyed writing about the debate over the Puerto Rican tree frog in Hawaii. In fact, I have learned a lot during the process from over 120 comments received from residents from both sets of Islands.
Environmental issues such as the proper use of pesticides, waste reduction, recycling, saving energy, environmental education activities have been very popular. I’ve also used my blog posts to give further insight to EPA’s regulatory process.
However, what I have enjoyed the most during this time has been the opportunity to share my experiences with my youngest daughter. She has truly been an inspiration for many of my blog entries. While I’ve tried to educate her about the importance of the environment, I have learned a lot from her as well. Many times she seems to have wisdom beyond her years. Either I’m doing something right or she gets it. I couldn’t be happier.
So, while I am glad to have been given the opportunity to participate in this environmental exchange, I will have to go on hiatus for a while. My current responsibilities in the Office of Environmental Education help me to continue working in favor of environmental literacy, but limit the time I have available to write weekly blogposts. At this point, I will not be able to fulfill a weekly commitment to Greenversations. Nonetheless, I hope to resume the conversation or at least contribute from time to time. As always, I would like to hear from you.
About the author: Lina Younes has been working for EPA since 2002 and currently serves as Acting Associate Director for Environmental Education. Prior to joining EPA, she was the Washington bureau chief for two Puerto Rican newspapers and she has worked for several government agencies.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Have greatly enjoyed your articles and will look forward to seeing something whenever you can contribue!
Thanks, Bernardine
I truly have enjoyed these last three years. It has been a labor of love. Hope to write again in the near future, but it will not be on a weekly basis. Please continue to visit and send comments to Greenversations. Have a nice day.
Don’t Say That, Lina…..
You are one of the best journalists and so writing in the medias is self needed. Excuse me, don’t say that, Lina….
I’ve looked forward to your posts over the past several years – so many of the topics you’ve discussed have resonated with me. Thank you for the conversations!
I have enjoyed those moments when government has been shown to be caring, or rather that many in government are caring.
BUMMER!!!
You have a great writing style and always have interesting topics. Most of them quite frankly are pretty boring or from someone who clearly hasn’t spent time in the field. Will miss you and thanks for signing off rather than just disapperaring.
Thanks for your kind words. Hope to resume writing in the future. I truly enjoyed communicating with Greenversations fans.
Lina
Best wishes to you, Lina! Thank you for your past articles and I’ll look forward to occasional Greenversations articles from you in the future. As others have already said, your writing style makes for an enjoyable, thought-provoking read; your topics are relevant to many of us as we try to “do our bit” to preserve and protect our planet and educate our families and our communities. I consider you something of an electronic “pen-pal”. I’ll miss your frequent contributions.
Linda,
That’s so sweet! An electronic “pen-pal.” Hope to make occasional contributions in the future. Still can communicate via email—younes.lina@epa.gov
I liked the site very interesting. Where I wanted to get there, We are glad that there is such blogs I Very good and useful information I receive from these sites. I want to thank the administration, I wish you luck, Yours sincerely George Saralidze
Lina,
Muchas gracias por tu contribucion. Disfruto mucho tus articulos porque se que no es facil escribir en Ingles y Espanol al mismo tiempo.
De todas maneras, cualquier cosa es carino.
Yasmin
Gracias, Yasmin
Escribí este blog por tres años para comunicar el mensaje ambientalista al público hispano y anglosajón. Todos tenemos que aprender sobre el medio ambiente. Muchos saludos.
nice…!
It is very wonderfull center