By Theresa Ficazzola
It’s Earth Day again…and that’s really great because it’s another reminder for us humans to take action to protect our planet.
Before the first Earth Day in 1970, air and water pollution were common. America was booming. People were driving big cars that consumed vast amounts of leaded gas. Factories were in full swing producing all kinds of stuff that consumers “needed”, and in the process, polluted the air, rivers and oceans with little thought of the consequences.
Until this point, mainstream America remained largely oblivious to any environmental concerns and how a polluted environment could threaten us or the planet.
However, in 1962, Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestselling book Silent Spring was published. The book represented a watershed moment, raising public awareness about the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health.
The Planet vs. Plastics
Today, Earth Day represents a day of hope. Hope that collectively, we can all make a difference and turn things around, so the earth can be enjoyed by current and future generations.
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics.
While plastic bags have been banned in a number of cities and states and many people are recycling their plastic bottles and using refillable bottles, that’s still not enough.
Did You Know?
According to EarthDay.org:
- Plastic production has grown to more than 380 million tons per year.
- More plastic has been produced in the last 10 years than in the entire 20th century.
- More than 500 billion plastic bags—one million bags per minute—were produced worldwide last year.
- As plastics break down, they remain as microplastics, minute particles permeating every niche of life on the planet.
- 100 billion plastic beverage containers were sold last year in the United States. That’s more than 300 bottles per inhabitant.
- However, 95% of all plastics in the U.S. won’t be recycled at all.
- Making a plastic water bottle requires six times as much water as the bottle itself contains.
- Approximately 85% of garments end up in landfills or incinerators, with only 1% being recycled. Nearly 70% of clothing is made from crude oil, resulting in the release of dangerous microfibers when washed and continued contribution to long-term pollution in landfills.
- Plastics are a grave threat to human health. As they break down into microplastics, they release toxic chemicals into our food and water sources and circulate through the air we breathe.
A Call to Reduce Plastics by 2040
Earthday.org is demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 and an ultimate goal of building a plastic-free future for generations to come.
To achieve this 60% reduction by 2040, Earthday.org’s goals are: (1) promoting widespread public awareness of the damage done by plastic to human, animal, and all biodiversity’s health and demanding more research be conducted on its health implications, including the release of any and all information regarding its effects to the public; (2) rapidly phasing out all single use plastics by 2030 and achieving this phase out commitment in the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution in 2024; (3) demanding policies ending the scourge of fast fashion and the vast amount of plastic it produces and uses; and (4) investing in innovative technologies and materials to build a plastic-free world.
Kathleen Rogers, the President of EarthDay.org says, “The Planet vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet.”
Support Earth Day – Go Solar
What do Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, Emma Watson, Jane Goodall and Frank Ficazzola all have in common? They all support Earth Day and environmental causes.
The owner of SI Solar, Frank Ficazzola, is an advocate for solar energy and electric vehicles. He has solar panels on the roof of his house and drives an electric car. He would love to talk to you about the benefits of solar energy to you, your family and the planet. Give him a call today!
