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State Representative John Lesch
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4224
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Column/LTE
EARTH DAY A CHANCE FOR REFLECTION, ACTION
Each year, on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day, a day to celebrate and appreciate our beautiful environment and natural resources. Earth Day, as we know it, was founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970, when he called for a nationwide “teach-in" at every university. From there, the movement grew and now Earth Day is celebrated by people in 175 countries.
Around Earth Day, our children spend the day learning about our planet and ways to ease and prevent pollution and litter. Large companies and governments pledge to use less energy by turning off the lights for specified periods of time. Concerned citizen groups head to the State Capitol Building to hold rallies, and communities around the state host events to raise awareness and promote action.
For many of us Earth Day is a day of reflection. As we get caught up in the daily dramas and highs and lows in our lives, we frequently forget about our common and shared home. Despite the day-to-day successes or failures, our legacies will be measured by how we left this world for the generations who follow us. Will we finally be able to do what so many before us have not and leave this planet better for our kids?
Personal responsibility and individual action will continue to move us forward in our quest for a cleaner and healthier home, but government must play a positive role as well. We’ve continued to see our air and water become more polluted. If not reversed, man-made climate change could have devastating implications for decades. While progress has certainly been made, we’ve watched a definite step backward in recent years, led by a Republican majority increasingly averse to climate science, research, and evidence.
Last session, Republicans proposed huge rollbacks of protections to water and natural resources, under the guise of job creation. Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr said the Republican bill would have caused irreparable damage to our state’s natural resources. This theme has continued into this session: corporations first, clean air and water second. Then when the inevitable environmental disaster occurs due to weak protections and lax regulation, it will be taxpayers to the rescue!
Just as troubling, the Republican-led legislature has shown no interest in investing in renewable energy. Minnesota has a huge interest in developing renewable energy technologies not only for our own use but for exporting as well. By becoming a leader in renewable energies like solar and wind power, we can reduce energy costs over the long-term, reduce pollution, and create lasting jobs in Minnesota. It’s a smart investment and it’s shouldn’t be passed up.
Thank you for all of the environmentally thoughtful things you do to reduce your waste and consumption: turning off lights when you don't need them, taking the bus to work, recycling your newspapers, unplugging unused electronics, using reusable cloth bags at the grocery store and everything else that you do.
If you get a chance — and it warms up a little — make sure you get out and enjoy our beautiful parks and trails. While you're out there, take pride in our shared resources and help pick up any debris or litter that you see. While state government might be falling behind in protecting our environment, your positive individual actions make a huge difference. Together, we can make every day Earth Day.
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