Global Climate Strike on Earth Day • April 24 (With Luck) We Can All Participate
by Laura Schatzberg, with input from Joel Chaban and Bea Acosta
The first celebration of Earth Day was 50 years ago. In its wake changes began to happen in the way people regarded their position on our planet. We acknowledged that we had a responsibility to steward that which we had the privilege to inhabit. There was enthusiasm among many and words like recycle, compost and ecology came into wide usage. The Environmental Protection Agency was established and the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created. But it turns out that these tools were not used effectively enough. Our planet is in crisis despite all the changes we have made as a society and as individuals. The actions of a minority of concerned citizens will not suffice to save this globe from devastation.
We are no longer in the realm of the hypothetical. The crisis is now and the time to do something is now.
It is up to the powers that be – governments and world organizations - to crack down on practices that are responsible for planetary degradation. We can evaluate how good or bad a legislator's environmental track record is but the fact is that even the best record has left us in crisis. Congress has tiptoed around and kowtowed to big industry by avoiding creation of legislation and enforcement of existing rules and regulations necessary to protect the well-being of the Earth. Oil and gas, factory farms, arms manufacturers, logging companies, chemical manufacturers and others act with impunity running their show any way they want with little regard for sound science or the health and future of our planet and its creatures.
Individual sacrifice is not going to reverse climate change. Concerted global action is needed. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. Global change is the only way.
This year Earth Day is the start of a climate awareness week with April 24th set as Global Climate Strike Day. All around the US there will be events to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Students and workers will leave their posts to participate. In our little corner of the Earth we have events planned and hope that you will participate to show your concern for our home. This is an opportunity to be part of the movement to halt or slow the process of decline our planet is in.
In Point Arena on Friday, April 24, 2020 between 12:00 and 1:00 there will be a sidewalk march and a rally at Fisherman's Park.*
All are invited to participate; schools, private citizens, public officials, businesses and organizations, to join in a march starting from Pacific Community Charter School on Lake Street to the gas station and back up Main Street to Fisherman's Park. There will be a short program with speakers and community singing. Bring your determination and placards and let your voices be heard.
*NOTE: At the time this article was written, both the Federal and State governments declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19 virus. If those conditions are still in effect, this event will be canceled.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
