54th Earth Day is Being Celebrated in New Jersey Today
Today is Earth Day, and according to EarthDay.org, it began on April 22, 1970.
I remember learning about, drawing pictures, and participating in activities in elementary school focused on Earth Day. This was at a time when we were pumping leaded gas into our cars. If you’re not aware, that’s gasoline with lead in it that would eventually be spewed out of our gas pipes into our Jersey air. At that time, most people had no idea that lead gas and a host of other pollutants were poisoning the air that we breathe and the water that we drink.
The first Earth Day inspired “Groups that had been fighting individually against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife” to come together regarding the common values that they shared.
Why Earth Day is Helping to Eliminate Plastic
One of the primary goals of EarthDay.org is to eliminate the use of single-use plastics. Plastic is used for many things which makes it more convenient and less costly. However, “plastics are a danger to humanity and all living creatures, disrupting the delicate balance of life on Earth.” The goal is the decrease the production of plastic by sixty percent by the year 2040 with their campaign “60 x 40.”
Earth Day and New Jersey DEP Founded in the Same Year
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) also got its start that same year over fifty years ago in 1970. The NJDEP has several programs to help make New Jersey a healthier place to live, work and visit.
EPA Awards New Jersey with $19 Million Grant
One of those ways is by putting cleaner school buses on the road. Cleaner means zero emissions for school buses which translates to cleaner air for Garden State residents.
According to epa.gov, the grant “will help secure clean school buses for five school districts in New Jersey, including in Union City, Elizabeth, Newark, Bloomfield Township, and Lakewood Township.” The plan is to purchase 42 clean school buses and 28 bus chargers.
New Jersey Shore Beach Clean-Up
A recent report by the Associated Press found that more than just the usual junk was found on Jersey beaches in 2023. Visitors to the Jersey Shore left behind the usual garbage, but volunteers found some very interesting items while grooming the sand.
Some of the odd findings included boxer shorts, bras, false eyelashes, pregnancy tests, dentures whoopee cushions, and a variety of bathing suits including bikinis. “Nearly 3,700 volunteers picked up and disposed of 176,206 items” on our beaches.
Earth Day is a day to join a group, donate your time or money, help clean up, or spend time fighting for a cause that helps make New Jersey and the earth a safer and healthier place to live.
10 Documentaries To Watch On Earth Day
