Chelsea Zero Waste Coalition call to action for 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

By Jean M. Vargas

This week’s article comes from Chelsea Zero Waste Coalition member Jean M. Vargas. Jean is a retired nurse who has lived in Chelsea since 1976. She volunteered at Potter Park Zoo as a docent for 20 years, and has visited all 7 continents, most often with ecological groups. Jean wants to conserve animals and protect our planet for future generations.

The stage was set in 1962.  

Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, about the dangerous effects of pesticides, was published while air pollution was considered the “smell of prosperity”. In 1969, there was a catastrophic oil spill in California and a river fire in Ohio. People were becoming increasingly aware of the problems of smog, deforestation, poor water quality, landfills, and the disposal of chemical waste.

The crew of Apollo 11 sent the photographs of the “blue marble” earth from the moon for all to see. People were becoming concerned about the earth. The Vietnam War had ended. Environmentalists were frustrated by the lack of concern and action of the government. They hoped that the energy of war protestors–their  “teach-ins” and demonstrations to “shake-up” the political establishment–could be channeled into a fight to save the planet.

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day celebration, with world-wide activities, was held. Ten percent of the United States’ population of 20 million people participated in demonstrations, parades, speeches, and “teach-ins”. The modern environmental movement was born.

Important legislative changes followed: Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Toxic Substance Control Act; Surface Mining and Reclamation Act; and Endangered Species Act, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. DDT was banned in 1972. Slogans such as “We have met the enemy and he is us!” and “Save Your Earth, You Can’t Get Off” helped to increase awareness and concern and to stimulate efforts to save the planet.

Fast forward to 2020, the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. So much has been achieved. On Earth Day 2016, 174 countries and the European Union signed the Paris Agreement codifying the universal goal of keeping global warming under 2 degrees C.

For 2020, Earth Day presents a whole new challenge. We are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, so the Earth Day Action network has decided to make this year’s celebration a virtual one. When we finally emerge from this pandemic, climate change will still be with us. It will still represent “the greatest challenge to the future of humanity and the life support systems that make our world habitable” (Earth Day.org).

We will still need “to support and promote comprehensive environmental education as part of the curricula in every school in the United States and the world” (Earth Day.org). It is “Factually known that climate change is real and that humans are part of the cause” (Earth Day.org).

Over the past few years, there have been changes in environmental policies and their impact. The Endangered Species Act has been weakened. The USFWS has broadened permission for trophy importation of some African species. There has been a significant decline in bird species. The United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement.

In 1970, there were already concerns about plastic. Now we know that microplastics are ubiquitous in our waters and cause harm to fish, wildlife, and humans. We even know that 22 million pounds of plastic end up in the Great Lakes every year. And most recently, clean car rules are being rolled back. 

We cannot afford to let this important anniversary just slip by unnoticed. There is much that needs to be done urgently. Our planet needs protection and restoration.

What can we do?

Let’s prepare now so that we will be ready to act when COVID-19 is gone and the 50th Anniversary is officially rescheduled until it is safe for us to gather again.

Earth Day Network  lists many activities and challenges for individuals and groups. Consider joining a cleanup or climate strike; participating in the world’s largest citizen science effort; hosting an event in your community; spreading the word on social media to build the movement; taking up Rachel Carson’s banner in the modern-day environmental movement. 

CALL TO ACTION NOW: And what can we do right now in Chelsea? While we are isolated, let’s all make posters and signs to display from our windows or front yards ahead of April 22

Check out the Earth Day Action Network’s website for ideas and instructions on how to make your own, or print one from this link under “materials”. After you make your sign, snap a picture of it and doing any or all of the following:

Post it the the Chelsea Zero Waste Coalition’s Facebook page

Send a picture of your sign to [email protected] and we’ll include your picture in Chelsea Update article on Earth Day, April 22, 2020. 

Upload your picture to twitter with the hashtags #EARTHDAY2020 and #ChelseaWaste

Ask your family and friends to do the same 

What will the environment be by the 100th anniversary – April 22, 2070?

If we want a better world, we have to get started now.