Legislation Document

WHEREAS, the original Earth Day was celebrated April 22 ^nd , 1970, and millions of Americans attended events across schools, universities, colleges, and communities to promote large scale environmental awareness and advocate for environmental protections; and

WHEREAS, the first Earth Day in 1970, founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, is recognized as the beginning of the modern-day environmental movement in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the creation of Earth Day, and the subsequent modern day environmental movement in the U.S., was made possible by trailblazing environmental figures such as: Rachel Carson, activist and author of Silent Spring; John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and “Father of the National Parks”; Aldo Leopold, environmental conservationist and author of Sand County Almanac ; and Gifford Pinchot, first chief of the U.S. Forest Service; and

WHEREAS, countless environmentalists and environmental activists have continued to advocate for environmental protections, preservation, and conservation such as: Jane Goodall, Solomon Brown, Ding Darling, Greta Thunberg, Margaret Thomas Murie, Shelton Johnson, Rosalie Barrow Edge, David Brower, Lois Gibbs, Colonel Charles Young, MaVynee Betsch, Anna Botsford Comstock, Winona LaDuke, Al Gore, Robert Bilott, Majory Stoneman Douglas, Wangari Muta Maathai, Jane Fonda, John Audubon, Erin Brockovich, Ansel Adams, Sir David Frederick Attenborough, and President Theodore Roosevelt; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is home to a wide variety of state, federally, publicly, and privately protected areas such as White Clay Creek State Parks, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Pemberton Forest Preserve, Lums Pond State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park, Fenwick Island State Park, Trap Pond State Park, Brandywine Creek State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park, and Nanticoke Wildlife Area, among others which provide Delawareans with access to have outdoor experiences and enjoy Delaware’s beautiful ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, National Park Week is observed from Saturday, April 20 ^th through Sunday, April 28 ^th to encourage Americans to get outdoors and enjoy their national parks and celebrate Earth Day; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day is a time to reflect and acknowledge Delaware is the lowest lying state and will feel the direct impacts of climate change such as sea level rise, erosion, loss of land and habitat, eutrophication, saltwater intrusion, rise of infectious disease, and flooding among other effects; and

WHEREAS, impacts from climate change will affect Delaware’s beloved ecosystems as well as tourism, agriculture, municipal systems, infrastructure, healthcare systems, the health of Delawareans, transportation, manufacturing, local businesses, at-risk and vulnerable populations in Delaware, and the homes of Delawareans among many other areas; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day is a time to recognize and acknowledge Delaware and the United States’ role in lower carbon emissions and all forms of pollution to limit a temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius or less about pre-industrial levels; and

WHEREAS, the theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics” which calls for a commitment to end plastics for the health of all humans and the planet and calls for a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040; and

WHEREAS, there are a wide range of solutions Delaware can invest in to protect our beautiful, beloved ecosystems and environment such as: wildlife corridors, state-wide organic composting system, environmental remediation programs, planting more trees and native plant species, green roof and other ways to reduce heat island effect, agricultural alternatives such as urban farming, rooftop gardens, and aquaculture, and switching to more renewable energy among many other policy options; and

WHEREAS, all living things have a significant intrinsic value and each living thing plays a unique, special, and important role in ecosystems and web of life and therefore must be protected and conserved for future generations; and

WHEREAS, stewardship of the environment and our natural resources are of utmost importance to having a sustainable, healthy, clean, and greener environment for current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day celebrations and taking care of the environment should not limited to just one day of the year, but rather we should be celebrating Earth Day every day.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the legislature designates April 22 ^nd , 2024 as “Earth Day” in the State of Delaware, and that Delawareans take the time to reflect and appreciate the importance of ecosystems and the environment around Delaware and the world.