Earth Day, 2024

 

On this day in 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated, marking the beginning of the organized environmental movement.  Much of what flowed from that era in this country -- the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, etc. -- has made us safer and healthier.  Today's it's a worldwide movement, with actions taking place in more than 190 countries.

This year's theme is "Planet vs. Plastics":

Planet vs. Plastics unites students, parents, businesses, governments, churches, unions, individuals, and NGOs in an unwavering commitment to call for the end of plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 and an ultimate goal of building a plastic-free future for generations to come. 

To achieve a 60% reduction by 2040, EARTHDAY.ORG’s goals are: (1) promoting widespread public awareness of the damage done by plastic to human, animal, and all biodiversity’s health and demanding more research be conducted on its health implications, including the release of any and all information regarding its effects to the public; (2) rapidly phasing out all single use plastics by 2030 and achieving this phase out commitment in the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution in 2024; (3) demanding policies ending the scourge of fast fashion and the vast amount of plastic it produces and uses; and (4) investing in innovative technologies and materials to build a plastic-free world.

“The word environment means what surrounds you. In the case of plastics we have become the product itself – it flows through our blood stream, adheres to our internal organs, and carries with it heavy metals known to cause cancer and disease. Now this once-thought amazing and useful product has become something else, and our health and that of all other living creatures hangs in the balance,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG. “The Planet vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet.” ...

Go to the Earth Day 2024 web site for more information, including an action toolkit and where to find an Earth Day event near you.  Most importantly, be a good steward of the Earth every day.