Happy Earth Day 2024!!!

Posted on by under Environmental Issues, Global Issues, Social commentary

This is an updated version of my Earth Day post that I have revised and used every year since 2017.  As my late ex-husband used to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and this post remains a timely reminder that we still need every year! 

Today is Earth Day … the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, to be exact.  Typically, Earth Day is assigned a different theme or area of focus each year and this year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics. Did you know that of all the plastic that’s ever been made, just 9% has been recycled and only 12% has been incinerated. The rest lies in landfills or our oceans, parking lots and parks.  The Earthshot Prize organization has taken on the challenge … check out their website to see what they are doing.

Of late, I have been surprised … and very disappointed … by those in our government and running for government offices who say their goal is to remove or rollback environmental regulations in order to help the already wealthy fossil fuel corporations earn even greater profits!  What about US?  What about our need for clean air, potable water, and food???  All of those things are endangered today and becoming more so at an alarming rate.  Each generation has contributed to the damage that is threatening our very survival, each generation multiplying that damage as technological ‘advances’ come along, many of which only exacerbate the problems.  Modern day jets, oil & gas pipelines, bovine-sized SUVs, food waste, plastic wrappers & containers … all these and more are fairly ensuring that within a few short decades, the planet will no longer be able to support 8 billion humans, not to mention the plants, wildlife, sea creatures and insects that were here long before humans.  Whenever I hear someone talk about an “invasive species”, I automatically think they must mean humans!

In part, we need better education about our environment and how to care for it.  But of late, climate change has become a political football with some claiming that it’s a “hoax”, others who are connected to the fossil fuel industries more concerned with their own profits than life on Earth, and still others listening to false claims by the likes of right-wing media and politicians.  None of which is helpful in the least bit — if we are to save this planet for life as we know it today, we must be united, everyone working together to clean up our acts!  I’ve been told by some who are unwilling to make even minor lifestyle changes that the human species will ‘adapt’ to the changes happening to our planet, but folks — there are just some things that we cannot adapt to.  Full stop.

So, please bear with me while I explain very briefly.

History – In The Beginning

The concept for Earth Day was conceived in the mind of then-Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Senator Nelson recruited help from Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey and others, and on April 22,1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Earth Day 2018-4Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. By the end of that year, the first Earth Day had led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

In 1995, President Bill Clinton awarded Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest honor given to civilians in the United States—for his role as Earth Day founder.

From Then To Now

Through the years, Earth Day has focused largely on global warming and a push for clean energy. Earth Day 2000 used the power of the Internet to organize activists, but also featured a drum chain that traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC for a First Amendment Rally. Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders the loud and clear message that citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on global warming and clean energy.Earth Day 2018-3Earth Day 2010 saw new challenges, especially in the U.S.:  Climate change deniers, well-funded oil lobbyists, reticent politicians, a disinterested public, and a divided environmental community all contributed to the narrative—cynicism versus activism.  Still, some 250,000 people showed up at the National Mall for a Climate Rally, launched the world’s largest environmental service project—A Billion Acts of Green®–introduced a global tree planting initiative that has since grown into The Canopy Project, and engaged 22,000 partners in 192 countries in observing Earth Day.

And Today???

No, this is not a picture from Ukraine, but rather a landfill in New York City taken prior to 2001, obviously, for you can see the Twin Towers in the background.

Under the previous administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was nearly decimated and environmental regulations rolled back or reversed.  For the four years between 2017-2021, the United States has stood alone among all nations in eschewing the science of global climate change.  However, thankfully, the Biden administration understands the critical need to address the multiple issues that are destroying our planet and  we are, once again, an active player in the fight against climate change and other environmental issues.  Still, however, there are far too many in Congress who are doing everything in their power to roll back environmental protections in order to increase the profits of their donors in the fossil fuel industries.  I believe that the vast majority of people in this nation do understand how critical our environment and our stewardship of the planet earth is, but sometimes that old saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” plays into their psyche.  Unfortunately, the pandemic and the Russian war against Ukraine have caused problems we couldn’t have foreseen and slowed down our progress on environmental issues.  We simply must get back on track, and soon!  Read the latest 10 major findings in this year’s IPCC report … we are quickly running out of time!

People today are so worried about the cost of fuel for their gas-guzzling vehicles, but they should be far more concerned about what the drilling, piping, and burning of that fuel is doing to our planet!  Far worse damage occurs to the environment daily than is occurring to your wallet!

What can YOU do?

You may think that there isn’t much you, personally, can do to help restore our earth, but you’d be wrong.  Each and every one of us can do a few simple things to help and little things add up to big things, as we all know.  Here are a few ideas from the Old Farmer’s Almanac …

1. SUPPORT OUR POLLINATORS!

Bring native bees and other pollinating creatures to your garden. One way to do this is by selecting the right plants. Need ideas?

2. CLEAN UP PLASTIC IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR LOCAL PARK

One of the best ways to connect with the Earth is through cleanups! Go on a walk with a trash bag and help to clean up any plastic that you find. Perhaps you know of a nearby ditch that is polluted with trash that needs a spring cleaning! You’ll start to realize that plastic permeates every aspect of our lives. But as the world wakes up to its addiction, just how easy is it to ditch plastic while growing and storing more of our own food? Don’t forget to recycle what plastic you can. See a Plastics Recycling Chart.

3. SWAP OUT YOUR KITCHEN AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS!

Let’s talk about the cooking and cleaning products that touch the food we eat as well as our skin. This year, we’ve discovered a line of kitchen and household products called “If You Care.” Everything’s biodegradable and does not use chemicals or plastic. Think 100% recycled aluminum foil, chemical-free parchment paper for baking, compostable bags made with potato starch, and even vegetable-based inks for their packaging. We love company’s motto: “We care simply because it’s the right thing to do!” You can find If You Care products online and in stores. See the store locator.

For more ideas, visit the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

And just a few other resources, if you’re interested:

And just for fun (and to test your knowledge) … a quiz!

In Summary

This is a post about Earth Day, but more to the point it is a post about the need for Earth Day.  It isn’t just about one day a year, about marches and articles such as this one, but it is about awareness.  The entire purpose of Earth Day is to raise awareness, to stir people to take action.  Climate deniers will continue to deny the need to protect our environment, not because they are as stupid as they seem, but rather because they are as greedy as they seem.  But there is much that each and every one of us can do with very little effort.  Recycle, pick up trash when you see it on the streets or in your local parks, plant a tree, plant flowers to encourage pollination, turn the thermostat down, conserve water, reduce food waste, turn off lights, consolidate errands and trips in the car, walk more/drive less, take the bus … use some common sense and be a good steward of the planet.  And meanwhile, keep petitioning your elected officials at local, state and federal levels … let them know that a healthy environment is more important to you than the profits of the fossil fuel and other industries.  Please … my life and yours are at stake, but more importantly our children’s and grandchildren’s lives are at stake.

Happy Earth Day, my friends!  Why not celebrate by planting a sapling or a few flowers in the back yard?

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23 thoughts on “Happy Earth Day 2024!!!”

  2. Great post Jill. A true clarion call.
    If we just skirt round the idea that concern about the environment is all a socialist plot or is apparently funded by some cabal (How does that work? I mean cabals ‘wot’ fund are supposed to be out to make more money right?) this is just the right message.

    Sobering point: We can screw up the environment for Humanity and most of the current species in one Extinction Event…..In a mere couple of million years (small change in the World’s history) the planet will have adjusted and Life will be going on….us? There’s that smear in the fossil record again.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, Roger!!! Too many are swayed by the messaging of the large corporations, primarily fossil fuel industries, and believe that climate change is naught but a hoax, rather like the Covid pandemic. Sigh.

      Yes, your scenario is the one that I believe will come to pass … I think we have waited too late already, and still, half the people in the world are unwilling to listen to the science, to make changes in their own lives. I don’t mind human extinction, but I HATE that we’re taking so many species out with us.

      Liked by 2 people

      • There are a two basic ways to look at this.
        The Fatalistic Shrug, and remark that we are in for another Extinction Event
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_event
        As you will see Jill these are nothing new in the planet’s history and Life always comes back.
        Aside from what is termed The Great Oxidation Event.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Oxidation_Event
        We, arguably would be a rare event where a Life Form causes it. Though in our case it would also be wilful has we have the perception to do something about it.

        The other one of course is that we as the current most prolific and adept species on the planet should do something about avoiding this.

        The former then carries with it a weight which can be seen through a theistic prism (Devine Punishment) or a more secular outlook (Serves Us Right! Planet is better off without us!!).
        Here we do have the issue of a great loss of life. Whereas in my more macabre interludes sitting on the peak of a mountain, now a small island, while storms rage about and turning to two Climate Change Deniers saying ‘So when do you reckon the weather’s gonna change?’ then pointing to the distance ‘Hey! Is that an Ark I see?’ does have a certain twisted appeal, the process of the massive loss of life as we Humanity turns into a smear on the fossil record is something that upsets me.
        We should avoid it

        Liked by 1 person

  3. 54 years and are we further forward I would say not really given the amount of plastics and now we have micro plastic in our food…to be honest its alright preaching to us about what we can do in the home HOWEVER the manufacturers of all this plastic need to be taken to task by governments and if they produce plastic that needs specialised equipment to recycle it then they should be made to foot the bill untill that happens we can do our outmust but it won’t be enough…Good post Jill happy to see you have mentioned the Earthshot Prize xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    • I agree with you on all counts, Carol! No, we are not very far ahead of where we were 54 years ago, and I also agree that while “we the consumer” can and must do our part, the bigger solutions must come from the industries that are doing the most damage. Even today, some are trying to roll back regulations on industries that were put in place to try to protect the environment. Glad you enjoyed the post, my friend … we have much work to do, and little time left in which to do it. Sigh. xx

      Liked by 1 person

  4. A tremendously important and informative article, Jill. Thank you. I didn‘t know anything about Earth Day until I discovered the photos and posts on Flickr. I joined that photo site somewhere around 2006/7 and had never heard of that special day (consciously) before….. Over here you can (not compulsory) buy extra ‚plastic bags‘ for plastic waste (fruit & veg holders/protections, bags, yogurt containers, wraps, plastic foils), they are rather costly and are quickly filled but all ‚those‘ wastes go into a special waste treatment. I started to be very concerned when I lived in England where in plain nature (Devon), you couldn‘t drive along any road without seeing plastic bags hanging in trees and hedgerows. We couldn‘t get over it and still can‘t. I like that ‚we care‘ producer of sustainable products for the household. My sister in law re-used her alu foils long before I did. I thought at the time she was stingy and couldn‘t understand that she did – MY lesson had to be learned only months and years later. I wasn‘t aware of the problem.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, Kiki!!! I think that most of us were unaware of the serious problems facing our environment until maybe the last decade or so. To an extent, that has been intentional … major corporations, notably the fossil fuel industry, have intentionally kept the data quiet, for if we start making changes in the way we do things, and if we start demanding that our governments put in place regulations to control carbon emissions, single-use plastics, etc., those corporations will be hit in the bottom line … they might not make quite as many billions of dollars as they typically do! None of us can solve the problem alone, but all of us can be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem! Otherwise, there will be no “Planet Earth” to sustain our future generations.

      Liked by 1 person

    • I know! I remember the first Earth Day … it surely cannot have been 54 years ago, when it seems like maybe 10 years max! And how much progress have we made? Some, but not nearly enough. Thanks, Ten Bears!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Jill, well done. Rolling back environmental regulations is inane. It reveals where the money comes from in politics. Who benefits from this action?

    Plastics management has been highly disappointing. There was a data driven article that said plastics recycling has been oversold as an effective tool because of its mishandling. The best strategy is to significantly limit the use of plastic.

    Food waste is something we must manage better. We throw away too many good foods and we toss produce and products before their expiration date.

    And, we must drive less with gas powered vehicles. Walk more, mass transit more, electric and hybrid car more, etc.

    Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Keith! Yes, rolling back the regulations that took decades to put into place is sheer madness. Another example of “profit over people”. What kind of life will our grandchildren have? And their grandchildren — will humans still exist then? Not if we don’t make some drastic changes and SOON!

      Plastics management has been horrible! Everywhere you go, plastics are forced on you without a choice. Order takeout from a restaurant and you’ll end up with an entire trash bag full of plastics. And good luck finding a recycling center nearby. Food waste is probably my worst downfall … I used to cook for a family of 5+, and have never learned to cut back quantities, so we always have way too many leftovers. We try to share with our neighbors, but sometimes due to their dietary/religious restrictions, it isn’t possible. I only drive 4 miles each week, with very few exceptions, so I think I’m doing the best I can there. We just need to become more aware, to stop and THINK before we crank up the car, turn up the thermostat, or turn on another light — is it really necessary?

      Liked by 1 person

  8. 100% on the quiz…just wish I had a negative global impact instead of my 32……….I do my best though. even have a beehive for my little pollinating buddies. Drive less than 10 miles a month (would feel much better if I could ride a bike but I just can’t anymore). never get anything in plastic if I can help it and use those kitchen products. I am tremendously proud to say my son does the same thing AND he rides a bike to work. His sheriff’s vehicle is electric…that annoys him. it takes more energy to create that battery than it does to make 15 regular vehicles….sheesh

    Liked by 2 people

    • Wow! Hats off to you, Suze, for scoring 100%! Yes, sigh, we all need to do better, but you are doing well, as compared to most. I’ve got you beat on the driving, though! I drive 4 miles per week! A mile to the grocery store and a mile back, twice a week! I could actually walk there and back, but couldn’t possibly carry the groceries, so … drive it is! But, I do use reusable grocery bags! The area I need the most improvement would be food waste and single plastics (water bottles, restaurant carryout, etc.) Good on you AND your son for all that you are doing!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, who would have thought it? But alas, corporate greed and human resistance to giving up conveniences are nearly insurmountable odds. Sadly, they will lead to a bleaker future for our grandchildren. And yes, the wars can only be adding insult to injury.

      Liked by 1 person

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