By Kelle’ Lynch McMahon, President Green Science Academy
As we move into the second decade of the 21st century, we are now celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first Earth day celebration circa 1970. Looking back over the past decades one wonders what real progress has been made to support the preservation of the planet.
The pioneers of the green movement wanted to bring people together to become aware of the dangers looming of development and overpopulation, educate people to improve their knowledge of what was happening to the planet and celebrate the enormous beauty of the place we call home. This struggle continues today. We have 2/3 of the world population with no access to clean drinking water. 1/3 of the world is living with no electricity or form of power to run machinery. Carbon emissions and depletion of the ozone are accelerating at a rate that has doubled in 25 years. Some say its overpopulation, others argue that its development and industrialization of the world that is causing the demise. I believe that we are all contributors. We must focus of reducing consumption, reuse of materials and recycle everything we possibly can to impact the environment.
We have made great strides in setting the pace for change in many areas that affect the global marketplace.
According to statistics calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States is much better today than they were 25 years ago. [Note:1]
Currently, it would take 20 of today's new automobiles to release the same number of emissions as one 1960’s model. [Note:2]
Carbon monoxide emissions (CO) have decreased by 33 percent. Forty-one fewer tons are being produced per year as a result of current efforts. [Note:3]
Dropping 14 million tons per year, volatile organic compound emissions have decreased by 42 percent. Particulate matter emissions reduced by 75 percent. [Note:4]
Looking at these statistics should make us feel proud of the changes we have made, but we still have a long way to go.
