Earth Day 2017’s theme is Environmental and Climate Literacy, made notable in a year dominated by renewed climate change skepticism and promotion of climate science deniers in politics and leadership.
Renowned scientist Albert Einstein once famously suggested that if he was given an hour to solve a problem, he would first spend 55 minutes defining the problem, then just 5 minutes solving it.
In Einstein’s spirit, a global citizenry knowledgeable in environmental science and fluent in local and global ecological issues is first required. Toolkits are available to schools, colleges, and community groups across the world to hold their own teach-ins for Environmental and Climate Literacy or other Earth Day events.
Earth Day Since 1970
Since the first Earth Day 47 years ago, the world’s population has doubled, 2.4 times more CO2 is being emitted, causing average temperatures to rise by 0.97 degrees Celsius. Sea ice is melting by a rate of 13.3% per decade, causing sea levels to rise by 11 centimeters in the same period.
Wild land animal populations have shrunk by nearly 38%; marine animal populations have declined by nearly 36%.
Over 170 animal species have been declared extinct.
Why Earth Day Matters – Advocacy
Without Earth Day, some landmark accomplishments might never have happened, such as:
- The establishment of Environmental Protection Agency in 1970
- The Clean Air Act of 1970
- The Clean Water Act of 1972
- The Endangered Species Act of 1973
- The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
- The Federal Occupational Health and Safety Act aimed at “in-plant pollution”
What’s Happened Since Then
- Practice recycling, which was nearly non-existent 40 years ago
- Have alternative, energy efficient forms of energy, such as CFL light bulbs
- In 1975, catalytic convertors became mandatory for all cars in the U.S.; and now we have hybrids and the first electric cars
- SO2 emissions have dropped by 40%; acid rain levels in the U.S. have decreased by 65% since 1976
- Depletion of the ozone layer has been controlled
Key pollutants have decreased by -71% as cars have driven more miles, 184% increase.
Bald eagles have returned. In 1987, CFC’s were banned, reducing chances of skin cancers.
In 2015, 197 countries agreed to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions.
Countdown to 2020
So why is Earth Day important? Watch your kids playing ball in a park; go for a hike in the woods with your dog. Go for a run by a beach or national park. Or simply stand in your backyard and fill your lungs with fresh air.
More work is needed. The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Education is the key to advocacy and advocacy is the key to change.
Source: Earth Day
