This year, Earth Day matters more than ever. Every day, a new headline threatens the planet we call home.
“Threats to this land include energy development and other resource extraction such as mining and logging, off-road vehicle use, bad siting of renewable energy projects, and recreation overuse. Preservationists fight for more federal funding to protect areas in danger from development and other forms of human intrusion,” said Wilderness Preservation.
On a more extreme level, national parks are also at high risk. With staffing cuts and redrawn boundaries for oil drilling, outdoor experiences will be different. Trails may be overgrown, bathrooms may be messier, and some paths might even be closed. The biggest action we can take is to continue visiting monuments, parks, or territories currently on public land. Donating and collaborating with the National Parks Conservation Association is also vital.
“The NPCA’s current mission is to protect and enhance America’s national park system for present and future generations. Based in Washington, D.C., the NPCA is the only independent, membership-based organization devoted to protecting the national park system.” From the NPCA
Conservation vs Preservation From Environmental Preservation vs. Conservation
“Conservation policies allow for humans to make use of such natural resources as wood from forests or oil from the ground, provided that the natural resources are managed and not used up entirely.”
“Preservation policies support the creation of parks and nature reserves that preclude the use or exploitation of natural resources.”
Both conserving and preserving are essential processes for protecting this natural world.
“The complicated and controversial nature of environmental protection makes it difficult for both sides—conservationists and preservationists—to come to an agreement on what solutions are best for everyone,” said Environmental Preservation vs. Conservation.
Climate change continues to be an issue as well. “Climate is a long-term pattern of temperature, humidity, and evaporation. Weather refers to short-term conditions such as rainfall, daily temperatures, and wind. The Earth’s climate is in large part determined by the greenhouse gas effect, an important process that has allowed life to develop on earth,” according to Climate Change, but with constant pollution and lack of attention, the climate will continue to suffer.
What can people do to help? It may feel like all these problems are much bigger than any individual is. However, that’s just not the case. If everyone takes action, it will bring attention to issues and, gradually, build a better future. Mainly, the basis of protecting our planet hasn’t changed. People must continue to reduce, reuse, and recycle, choose sustainable options for our consumption, and stay up to date with current events. In South Dakota, there are several parks to visit, even if it is just a backyard.
So, get outside! Spend time in this beautiful world because every day is Earth Day.
