Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. With the date quickly approaching, I would like to give a brief history of Earth Day and encourage those who have never recognized it as a holiday to find a way to make it an important day in their homes.
Earth Day was created by Sen. Gaylord Nelson and first celebrated in 1970. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "... before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic (pollution) into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. They could not be taken to court to stop it. How was that possible? Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment."
Nelson introduced Earth Day as a way to force these environmental problems into the public eye. The federal agency was established in December of the same year.
The EPA, which is celebrating Earth Month, has been distributing daily e-mails with suggestions for making greener choices during the month. Check out www.epa.gov and see what you can find. You can sign up to receive various updates, depending on your interests and concerns. You can also notify them if you find something environmentally wrong going on in your area. Becoming familiar with this Web site and organization is a great way to learn more about being environmentally responsible while also knowing how your tax dollars are working.
The following tips are from the EPA's daily "Earth Month" e-mails:
Reduce your carbon footprint. Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds a year. Save up errands and shopping trips so you need to drive fewer times. If you commute to work, ask if you can work from home some days, and you will reduce air pollution and traffic congestion while also saving money.
Don't idle. Remind your school system to turn off bus engines when buses are parked. Exhaust from idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus, and can enter school buildings through air intakes, doors and windows. Constant idling also wastes fuel and money, and school bus engines really need only a few minutes to warm up.
Heading to the beach? Check out the quality of the beach water before you go. We Americans take almost 2 billion trips to the beach every year, but people who swim at the beach sometimes get sick because the water is polluted. The good news is you can check on the quality of the beach water online.
Make it a full load. Run your dishwasher only when it's full. When you buy a new dishwasher, look for one that saves water. Water-efficient models use only about only about 4 gallons per wash.
Be extra aware of environmental conditions where older people live. As we age, our bodies become more sensitive to chemicals and environmental conditions. You should be careful in using products, such as pesticides or cleaning solvents, near areas where older adults live and sleep. Always follow the directions on the product package or label.
Be sensible. The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact only 1 percent of all water on the planet is available for humans. Buy fixtures and products that are water efficient; you can use less water to get the same job done just as well. When you go shopping, look for the WaterSense label to find water-efficient products.
It's electric. You can check how much of your electricity comes from renewable, "green" power sources, such as wind or solar. Green power produces less carbon emissions, reduces air pollution and helps protect against future costs or scarcity of fossil fuels. If green power is a consumer option, check price differences from suppliers before you buy.
Shower power. A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, whereas taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are. Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient showerhead, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent.
Read the label. You might not realize it, but the label is the law on pesticide containers. Pesticide product labels provide critical safety information for handling and use. Pesticides are powerful substances, but when used according to the label, they are safe and effective. So, always read the label and use pesticides safely, at home or in the field.
Exercising outdoors? Regular exercise makes us feel great and keeps us healthy. Before you head out for your workout or run, check the air quality forecast for your local area. You can find out when air pollutants, such as ground-level ozone or airborne particles, are at acceptable levels where you live.
Compost it. Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. Food scraps and kitchen waste also make good compost, and you save money on fertilizers or other additives.
Protect yourself from sun overexposure. In summer, always apply a sunblock with an SPF of 15 or more to protect your skin from solar UV radiation. Just five or more sunburns can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so at those times, seek shade or wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt.
If none of the above appeal to you, try to find a different way to make at least one positive change to your environment this April 22 — one that you can commit to year round. Things such as planting a vegetable garden, putting up and using a clothesline or fixing a leak are one-time changes that will keep working for you.
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Bill Goss is the owner of Quality Systems Consulting Group in Amesbury. His Web site is www.merrimackvalleygreen.com. If you have any questions regarding Going Green, send them to merrimackvalleygreen@comcast.net and he will answer them in upcoming columns.
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