As Earth Day wrapped up yesterday, I reflected on the momentum that it has gained since its inception. I realized I didn't know when it first began, however, a quick search resolved that when I came across the webpage: The History of Earth Day. As an instructor at the University of Waterloo, I teach students about the environmental movement that was spurred by Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962, a book that describes the demise of birds as a result of DDT use and other environmental damages caused by indiscriminate use of pesticides. The story created a movement that resulted in the banning of DDT, followed by the enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 in the United States. The year 1970, the first Earth Day in the United States, was a pivotal time for the environmental movement with political alignment and support from the public.
The world then was not necessarily unified, much like our world now. There were divisions on both political and social fronts. But the spirit of collaboration emerged in 1970 for the common goal of environmental protection and restoration. As we, today, move toward environmental conservation, we must not leave behind social inclusion.
The CBS coverage from 1970 Earth Day rings true today
Within the same course that I teach about environmental assessments, we cover the impact of Hurricane Hazel, which flooded Southern Ontario, destroying homes, leaving thousands homeless. The provincial government at the time gave power to Conservation Authorities to acquire and regulate land for the safety of communities. Conservation Authorities are unique to Ontario and have worked to ensure the safeguarding on Ontario's water resources, protecting Ontario's woodland and wetland habitats, and connecting people to the natural environment.
The Conservation Authorities as a collective work together to achieve Earth Day goals on a daily basis - however, the work they do is now at risk from the current provincial government that aims to build roadways over wetlands instead of conserving the natural environment and watershed services. Environmental Defense is an organization that summarizes the key issues that are at stake this election period, such as Highway 413, the legislative risks to Species at Risk, and Sprawl.
Let us this Earth Day 2022 make a commitment like our Conservation Authorities and Environmental Defense organizations to do one action each day for our shared planet. We do not need to fight - there are collectives and organizations who fight for us. They do require our support, though, as much or as little as you can give on any given day. Depending on the day, perhaps you:
Waterloo's watershed is managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)
