Thoughts on Earth Day 2024

In the era of climate change, so much needs to be done, it makes your head spin.

However, on Earth Day this year, I’d like to give a shout out to leaders and groups who have been working for decades make a difference for the earth.

A recent example is PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. They’re used in a wide range of consumer products, including waterproof clothing, furniture, cookware, electronics, food packaging, and firefighting foams and in a large number of industrial processes.

Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.

In early April, the Biden administration finally finalized limits on six PFAS in drinking water: PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS.

Then on Friday, the EPA designated two forever chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, known as Superfund.

A pat on the back to environmental and health organizations who have tirelessly and steadfastly been working this issue and other environmental issues for decades.

On Earth Day 2024, I suggest that you join an organization that’s working to protect the environment. Among them are:

Environmental Working Group

Earthjustice

Natural Resources Defense Council

Food and Water Watch

Consumer Reports

Rachel Carson Council

Environment America Research and Policy Center

Green Science Policy Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute

Wildlife Madagascar

The Nature Conservancy

Sierra Club

World Wildlife Fund

Greenpeace

Green America

Fashion Revolution

So, pick one, two, or even three and support them to celebrate Earth Day this year. It’s so important. We all need to do what we can because the challenges are great and corporations, which have so much power, don’t have environmental protection as main or even minor goal.

In addition, pick out an action project in your community and join in. For examples, see this list of 12 community-led initiatives for environmental action.