Happy Earth Day!

Earth Image from NASA

The first Earth Day was celebrated in the United States on April 22, 1970 as a way to demonstrate the importance of the environment and the need to protect it. It was the beginning of an era of new environmental regulations and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) later that year. In 1990 it expanded to an international event and is now celebrated worldwide. So it was fitting that on Earth Day 2016 174 countries and the European Union signed the Paris Agreement to address climate change. This year, with the current administration's position to drastically slash EPA's budget by over 30 percent and to roll back regulations designed to protect public health and the environment, it may seem that there is not much to celebrate.

As EPA Administrator Pruitt calls on reconsideration or abolishment of protections such as the Clean Power Plan, Oil and Gas Rule, Clean Water Rule under the guise of President Trump's executive orders and Pruitt's own "Back to Basics" agenda, it is important to remember the roots of that first Earth Day. Co-chaired by Senator Gaylord Nelson and Congressman Pete McClosky the day provided an outlet for an estimated 20 million people to demonstrate that something had to be done to curtail the pollution that was destroying the air, water and land of the earth. Although significant progress has been made, the threats are the same - private and corporate interests alone cannot protect the environment. We need the backing and support of our government leaders and agencies to provide the funding, research and expertise to guide the implementation of actions that will not only prevent harm, but that will help reverse the damages of the past. This is imperative in order to ensure a world for the future. 

So today get out and proclaim your support for the environment - write your local, state and U.S. representatives; post your support on social media; participate in peaceful gatherings such as today's March for Science; and remember that collectively our individual actions can make a difference.
Update: If you weren't able to attend an event in person, check out the March for Science Earth Day 2017 coverage in Washington D.C. for inspirational music and speeches.