Originally published on the CGS blog on April 22, 2013.
Cleveland is known for many things. It’s the hometown of John D. Rockefeller, Lebron James, Rock and Roll, the traffic light and the Cleveland Clinic. It’s also one of the starting places for Earth Day.
On June 22, 1969 the Cuyahoga River, the major river that flows from Lake Erie and a center of trade in the region, caught on fire. The fire occurred when sparks from a blow torch ignited pollution and oil on the river’s surface. The river was so polluted that there were no fish for long stretches. Lake Erie was full of sewage run off and parts were declared dead. It is known as the event that started “environmentalism” and the founding of the EPA, as well as the passing of the Clean Water Act.
Over 40 years later both the lake and the river are cleaner and the environment is a hot topic in both politics and culture. Earth Day, started just one year after the iconic river fire, is a day to promote saving the planet. Now a holiday celebrated around the world, it even has its own theme, and this year that theme is climate change.
Climate change is still somehow a controversial issue in our political system. While 99% of scientists say that climate change does exist, a small extremely conservative fraction of the GOP has managed to wreck havoc on the environmental policy in America. Koch Industries has spent tens of millions of dollars on groups that deny climate change. Now some federal legislators are selling their souls to the devil, giving up their own values and those of their constituents in favor of those that fund their campaigns.
So what does climate change actually lead to if we do nothing? It means less water for drinking (which now the only safe drinking water is at 1%), and less water for agriculture, creating a potential food shortage. This will lead to more children starving in the global south, more sweltering hot days, and overall, more deaths.
There is hope for stopping this. State Governments are starting to make an impact, as they no longer believe the federal government will step in and do something. California has started a cap and trade program and 29 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have renewable electricity standards. Ohio, the state that was once caught on fire because of pollution, has one of the best environmental policies. The state has over 300 wind and solar companies that have created over 8,000 jobs.
Our planet has done a lot for us. It feeds us, protects us, gives up its resources for us, and has sustained life for thousands of years. Now it’s our turn to do something nice for Mother Earth. So spread the word to stop climate change. Spread knowledge to stop climate deniers. Most of all; recycle, plant a tree, and curb your garbage. The most we can do for our planet is little things at home and here’s a list of how you can start right now.
