50 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and OSHA did not exist. These vital agencies were created as a result of the activism that grew out of the first Earth Day.

Sadly, these agencies that serve the public interest are now endangered and we must work to keep them in existence!

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our plans for this spring, it is important that we still find ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the very first Earth Day.

We are seeing some positive changes from the stay-at-home orders. Cities are breathing some of the cleanest air in generations.

But as Naomi Klein, author of On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal, says: “We shouldn’t need a pandemic in order to clean up our air: we must clean it up through proper legislation and regulations.”

We are all facing extreme difficulties presented by the pandemic, but we can still do our part to support the healing of our environment.

Things you can do right now:

• Plant a garden – Inside your apartment, on a windowsill, deck, or outside in your yard, welcome the spring season by planting native plants, fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
• Recycle and compost – In addition to your regular recycling, compost your food and garden waste, or add to a “green” bin, if available. And look for ways to “REDUCE” what you use since many items are not recycled by our cities.
• Unplug – A simple way to reduce your energy use is to turn off power strips to any appliances that are not in use.
• Combine your shipping orders and shop locally – Try to order multiple items together to limit your deliveries. Also, shop from local businesses when possible to support your community.
• Stay home and learn with us – Watch this amazing documentary The Need To Grow about the earth and our food supply and what we can do: https://grow.foodrevolution.org/.

Check out these websites during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: April 22 – 24th, 2020, and beyond:

• https://www.earthdaylive2020.org/
• https://www.labor4sustainability.org/
• https://action.responsibletechnology.org/
• https://bioneers.org/

As we celebrate Earth Day, let’s take some time to consider how this worldwide pandemic and the subsequent stay-at-home orders may be providing us with lessons on how to get along with less and to live more sustainably. We may learn that we can reduce our personal footprint, save some money, and benefit the planet and future generations.