Earth
Day, renew your commitment to make a difference
The public demonstrations on that first Earth Day served
as a wake-up call to our country that the degradation of our air, water and
land could no longer be ignored.
People from all backgrounds and political leanings came
together to demand results – and the modern environmental movement was born.
Even as we have successfully tackled many of the sources
of pollution so evident on that first Earth Day, other environmental threats
and challenges have surfaced: new industrial pollutants, mining waste, aging
municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, and global climate change.
Worldwide industrialization, unrestrained development, and
the global migration of pollutants pose challenges not imagined when our first generation of environmental laws were enacted in the early
1970’s.
As we confront these modern-day challenges and move toward
sustainable development and resource stewardship, the continued need for individual
engagement is essential.
I recently recognized several citizen heroes for their
important contributions to environmental protection.
Their achievements, ranging from creating innovative
programs to conducting insightful research to just plain roll-up-your-sleeves
hard work, showcase the impact and importance of individual drive and
involvement.
From those early days in 1970 to the present, environmental
activism has been an effective force for change. From coordinated efforts to
influence national policy to individual choices in transportation, energy and
materials consumption, I encourage each of you to join in, learn more and
contribute collectively and individually to environmental protection.
Wayne Nastri is Regional
Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.