"When we look at the issues of Earth Day, we think about places such as I've mentioned -- Los Angeles, Washington or the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In our area, the Dakotas and Minnesota, we feel pretty proud of ourselves.

But I am reminded when I see all the Earth Day posters and information that there are things -- perhaps seemingly insignificant things -- we can do. For example, is the burgeoning cost of gas a good reason for looking at smaller and more fuel-efficient cars?

We live in farm country. Shouldn't we be looking at increasing and expanding research to use corn products for fuel? We are a region that loves those big gas guzzlers. Pickups and SUVs are as common on our Dakota and Minnesota streets as factories belching bad air in big cities. Is our excuse that we live in a rural area and have hard winters and so we need those kinds of vehicles?"

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DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Earth Day issues deserve our daily attention (The Grand Forks Herald 4/24)