Earth Day 2024: Where there is action, there is hope
The great outdoors. Mother Nature. God’s creation. Green space. Our natural world. Whatever you choose to call it, who doesn’t love being outside among trees or under a big, beautiful sky! And why not? Science tells us time spent outdoors can improve mood, sleep, stress level, immunity, self-esteem and concentration.
Unfortunately, keeping the planet that helps keep us healthy healthy often seems like an afterthought. This is particularly troubling when it comes to our changing climate as we in the U.S. have contributed more to the problem over time than anywhere else in the world.
Our society may have been slow to face up to the facts when it comes to climate change, but on Earth Day 2024, there is hope and possibility on many levels. And that hope is created through action … the action of governments, communities, and individuals.
It’s encouraging that the federal government now has a National Climate Task Force and offers tax credits and rebates on climate-friendly purchases (irs.gov/credits-deductions). Minnesota is a leader among states, with our Climate Action Framework, clean energy goals, and funding for some home energy upgrades (mn.gov/commerce/energy). Dakota County does an excellent job promoting sustainability with residents, businesses, schools and municipalities. They lead many efforts to help us “reduce, reuse, and recycle” and work with willing landowners and partners to protect and restore important land.
Locally, some cities are stepping it up to do their part to take care of our planet. The Sustainable Eagan initiative resulted after surveys showed residents value the natural environment as much as they do public safety and the economy. Eagan has hired a sustainability coordinator to help move their vision forward “for a more sustainable future.” Burnsville has been serious about climate change planning for years, starting with their Sustainability Guide Plan in 2009, which was then updated in 2020. Burnsville’s longtime mayor, Elisabeth Kautz, was even chosen to speak about their efforts at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai in January. This city also has a sustainability coordinator, which seems like a smart financial move considering that the number of grants available in this area make it difficult to keep up without dedicated staff.
As is often the case, caring citizens are taking action, too. Minnesota has so many environment/natural resources organizations that its impossible to list them all here. Many churches in our area have active Green Teams. The Lakeville Friends of the Environment group has been spreading the word and working on projects for 14 years and helps throw the best Earth Day celebration around.
Apple Valley residents signaled how highly they value our outdoor world by giving natural resources top priority in a recent parks survey. The Apple Valley Eco Advocates, a group that I am a part of, volunteers on projects and speaks up on local natural resources and environment issues. We helped make sure the new ball fields planned don’t contribute to the city’s PFAS “forever chemical” problem by using artificial turf.
Every individual contributes to the condition of our world, and there are actions any of us can take to help keep it healthy and beautiful:
- Check out what’s going on in your city regarding climate planning and sustainability.
- Look into joining one (or more!) of the many national, state or local groups out there.
- Take the Dakota County Recycling Ambassador class or sign up for their Tour de Trash (co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/EducationResources).
- Let your elected officials know you care about natural resources and sustainability
If you’re looking for that one easy step you can take to make a difference, both for the Earth and your pocketbook, consider cutting your food waste. Dakota County has information to help and also offers drop-off sites for food scraps and other organics composting. Food is the largest component of trash in Minnesota and even food put down the garbage disposal gets filtered out and typically ends up in a landfill. Burgeoning landfills are not part of anyone’s beautiful world.
We need collective and individual action to protect, maintain and restore our air, water, land and climate. And action creates hope in a better future for our Earth.
Susan Wehrenberg is an Apple Valley resident.