What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is on April 22, every year. It is a day on which we mark the anniversary of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The modern environmental movement sparked change all over the world. It began in the United States in the 1960s when concern about air and water pollution began to emerge. Eventually, the fear spread to all landscapes and human activities. This concern led Congress to pass measures in order to promote cleaner air and water. These measures included: the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): According to epa.gov, “The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that:
- Americans have clean air, land, and water;
- National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information;
- Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended;
- Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy;
- All parts of society — communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments — have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks;
- Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up by potentially responsible parties and revitalized; and
- Chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.”
Clean Air Act: According to the EPA, “ The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants.” Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA can restrict emissions of air pollutants deriving from sources such as chemical plants, utilities, and steel mills.
Clean Water Act: According to the EPA, “The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters.” Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA can implement pollution control programs to set wastewater standards for industries.
Endangered Species Act: The act limits the import, export, or taking of fish and wildlife and plants which are listed under the threatened or endangered species list, providing supplies to remove those species from the threatened or endangered list(s). In addition, the Endangered Species Act prepares and carries out plans for the recovery of those species by providing interdepartmental cooperation which helps avoid the taking of the listed species and can be used to issue permits for prohibited activities. The act also provides a mutual understanding between States, who can then authorize financial assistance and implement the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
What Can You Do On Earth Day?
- Volunteer for cleanups in your community: brings you back to the roots of environmentalism; Building a planet that works better for everyone.
- Plant something: As we celebrate Earth Day, we should give back to the environment by planting trees, flowers, or plants.
- Educate: Environmental education empowers students around the world to solve the climate crisis and develop the skills, optimism, and resolve to lead the environmental movement of tomorrow.
- You can also do small things like riding a bike or walking instead of using a car, shopping at the local farmer's market, cleaning up plastic in your local parks or beaches, buying reusable bags, and using a refillable water bottle.
Thank You!!! Don’t forget to share this blog! The more people that know, the greater of an impact there will be.
