As Ontario’s most sustainable community, it should come as no surprise that at West 5, we take Earth Day seriously. Nearly 50 years ago there was a concerted push towards a better future for our planet and Earth Day was created.
Today, after many years of hard work, we are forging the way for other sustainable communities throughout the country. With Earth Day around the corner, we wanted to acknowledge the history of the environmental movement, which started in earnest with a disaster off the coast of California in the early days of 1969.
Wisconsin senator, Gaylord Nelson, had always championed the environment and ideas around conservation since first being elected to office in 1948, but it took a tragedy to inspire him to organize the very first Earth Day. Caused by an oil rig failure, Nelson had surveyed the carnage inflicted off the coast of Santa Barbara from a plane. 800 square-miles of oil blanketed the waters off of Santa Barbara and the fallout was devastating. Over 3 million gallons seeped into the coast, leading to the immediate deaths of over 10,000 animals in the area. Horrified and driven to take action, the Senator organized protests in communities throughout America on the first anniversary of the oil spill. The turnout was impressive, and it wasn’t long before Nelson realized he was witnessing the birth of a movement. He picked a day he knew would draw a big turn out: April 22nd, 1970; warm, sunny, and the peak of spring. Americans were ready to show their support. 20 million people across the country participated in that inaugural event. And with that, Earth Day was born. Environmentalism had become mainstream.
By 1972 America was regulating insecticides and had banned DDT. They created marine sanctuaries, with whales, dolphins, seals, and manatees receiving strict protection. A year later came the Endangered Species Act, protecting critical habitats and leading to the reversal of decades of population decline. In 1974, the EPA began phasing lead out of gasoline. The world was taking notice, and following in America’s stead.
Eight years after the first Earth Day, renowned author and anthropologist, Margaret Mead declared:
“Earth Day is the first holy day which transcends all national borders, yet preserves all geographical integrities, spans mountains and oceans and time belts, and yet brings people all over the world into one resonating accord, is devoted to the preservation of the harmony in nature and yet draws upon the triumphs of technology, the measurement of time, and instantaneous communication through space.”
By the end of 1980 the day had grown in such popularity it was being recognized in Canada, and by 1990 it was being recognized by over 200 million people in 141 countries.
The decades that followed saw major updates to the Clean Air Act, reducing ozone depletion and acid rain, grey wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, and bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list. And in 2015, nations around the world united under the common cause to save our planet, creating the Paris Agreement, a commitment to reduce pollution around the globe.
Today, 192 countries celebrate Earth Day.
At West 5, Earth Day takes on a particularly special meaning. It embodies our core values, and represents everything we strive for as a community. Nothing is more important than the health of the planet we live on and the state we leave it in for our children.
This year, we have the opportunity to join our larger London community to promote a cleaner environment. Helping out is easy! You can start your own initiative, or join one that’s already established. Here are a few happening in our community:
On Friday April 26th, businesses are taking part in their own neighbourhood 20-Minute Makeovers. Organize your own group, bring some gloves and paper bags, and help by beautifying the space surrounding your office.
Join an existing group or start your own here: londoncleangreen.ca
On Saturday April 27th, gather the family and take part in your own Community Clean-up. This can be as simple as walking through your own neighbourhood and helping to clean up litter wherever you can.
Join an existing group or start your own here: londoncleangreen.ca
That same Saturday, April 27th, is also the Thames River Cleanup. People from around the city will descend on the Thames River to help keep it clean and pristine.
Find out more here: www.thamesrivercleanup.ca
