{"id":1140,"date":"2020-04-24T11:44:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T16:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lindagorchels.com\/blogs\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2020-04-27T11:44:55","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T16:44:55","slug":"earth-month-turns-50-during-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lindagorchels.com\/blogs\/earth-month-turns-50-during-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"Earth Month Turns 50 During COVID"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In 1970, a team led by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson promoted the first Earth Day on April 22. People were spurred into action by Rachel Carson\u2019s book, Silent Spring<\/em>, by the 1969 California oil spill, and by an awareness that the health of the planet was critical for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That first Earth Day launched a series of efforts. The Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were authorized. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in the United States. Many countries adopted similar laws and actions. A concurrent Earth Month<\/a> was established by a citizen-based non-profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earth Day\u2019s 50th<\/sup> anniversary occurred at the time\nof COVID. Two consequences are notable. First, COVID restrictions paused some\ncontributors to pollution. Second, the restrictions made gatherings to\ncelebrate Earth Day\u2019s anniversary impossible. I have a few words on each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollution declines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Travel restrictions and lockdowns enacted to slow COVID\ntransmissions have contributed to cleaner skies. Air pollution decreased in\nmany urban areas. This highlights the connection between human action and the\nhealth of the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, this will revert back when all restrictions are lifted. But it begs the question: how can we ramp up in a way that slows down greenhouse gas emissions just as we slowed down COVID transmissions? Both goals require short-term pain for long-term gain. Part of the answer lies in strengthening the legislation (e.g., Clean Air Act) and agencies (e.g., EPA) designed for this purpose. Now is not the time to eliminate regulations put in place to safeguard the planet for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

50th<\/sup> Anniversary celebrations went virtual<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like so many other planned events, community and global\nmeetings were cancelled or moved online. People worked to protect themselves\nfrom a coronavirus sickness, while still focusing on pollution and\nenvironmental problems causing other kinds of sickness. It was a paradigm\nshift, but people found a way to make it work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Your Part<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Earth Day\nNetwork<\/a> provides the following tips for getting involved in environmental\ngoals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n