It is hard to imagine that prior to 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxics into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream. It was perfectly legal for these actions to take place and perpetrators could not be taken to court. Because there was no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no Clean Air Act, or no Clean Water Act, there were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment.
In the spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin created the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. 20 million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities and it worked!
In the summer of 1970, President Richard Nixon and Congress established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the growing public demand for cleaner water, air, and land. The EPA was tasked with the challenging goal of repairing damage already done to the environment and establishing guidelines to help Americans make a cleaner and safer environment.
With Earth Day celebrating its 40th anniversary on April 22, 2010, do your part to protect the environment by committing to at least 5 of the following actions!
Pick 5 for the Environment:
- Use less water!
Take showers instead of baths, fix leaks, and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Buy efficient fixtures by looking for the WaterSense label.
- Commute without polluting!
Use public transportation, carpool, walk, or bike whenever possible to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs.
- Save electricity!
Do a home energy audit, get programmable thermostats, buy Energy Star products, turn electronics/appliances off when done, and change bulbs to compact fluorescents.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle!
Try to find products with less packaging, take reusable bags on shopping trips, creatively reuse other products, and recycle what’s left.
- Test your home for radon!
Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless gas that can seep into your home and cause lung cancer.
- Check your local air quality!
When you exercise outdoors, use your local air quality forecast to help plan the best time for a workout or run.
- Use chemicals safely!
Read pesticide labels carefully. Lock up pesticides, paints, and cleaners where kids can’t reach them. Choose products that are safer for people and the environment.
- eCycle!
Take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to a recycling center, helping to keep hazardous substances out of the landfill.
- Enjoy the outdoors safely!
Find out the quality of beach water from your state office and get the UV Index to protect yourself from the sun.
Spread the word! Teach others where you work, go to school, or hang out. Encourage people to “Pick 5 for the Environment!”
This Earth Day, April 22nd, the EPA asks you to join in protecting human health, preserving our planet, and ensuring clean air and water for all people and future generations.
For more information about Earth Day, the EPA, and “Pick 5 for the Environment,” please go to www.epa.gov/earthday.
Click here for information about Cabrini College’s “Earth Week” events.