Earth Day grew out of the growing environmental concerns of the late 1960s. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Despite the changes in our country and the world over these past 38 years, Earth Day continues.
Water is always a big topic during Earth Day. Water is crucial for sustainable development, including the preservation of our natural environment and the alleviation of poverty and hunger. Water is indispensable for human health and well-being.
The United Nations General Assembly, in December 2003, proclaimed the years 2005 - 2015 as the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life'. A decade of action! The primary goal of the 'Water for Life' Decade is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water-related issues by 2015. So what can you do? Water conservation is one small step. Preventing pollution is a larger one.
AAA New Jersey Automobile Club suggests that residents put down their buckets, hoses and sponges and patronize the local car wash. AAA reports that washing your own car can use 40 to 140 gallons of water. At the car wash, it takes only 12 to 35 gallons of water to clean a vehicle, according to AAA. The soapy water from washing your car in the driveway would run into a storm drain and add to pollution in local streams. Car washes recycle used water.
Inside, fix those leaky faucets. That dripping isn’t just annoying, it’s wasteful. Don’t run the washing machine or dishwasher for just a few items unless the water level can be controlled.
At this time of year, homeowners are thinking about getting their lawns green again, but a healthy-looking lawn can be unhealthy for the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that homeowners can do their part for Earth Day every day by limiting their use of fertilizers and pesticides and using natural rather than chemical fertilizers.
When working on the car, keep oil and anti-freeze off the driveway. They, too, can end up in storm drains and later in streams. Motor oil can be recycled and should never be poured onto the ground.
Anyone who lives near a lake can see how important it is to keep the water clean for swimming, boating and fishing. While it might seem harmless to feed Canada geese by a lake, that handout encourages the geese to stay and "foul" the water.
In towns throughout New Jersey, groups have formed to clean up the rivers and streams where garbage has accumulated. Everyone can help the environment in some way now to make it better for us and for future generations.
