By DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which is a challenging milestone to celebrate in the middle of a pandemic that is keeping many of us socially distant and preventing large gatherings like cleanup events.

But while the classroom sit-ins that were the hallmark of Gaylord Nelson’s movement might not be possible right now, there is still ample reason to celebrate the successes we have realized as a nation, as well as look to the challenges we are still facing.

The theme of this milestone Earth Day is climate change – a problem that is bigger than any one person, state, or even nation can grapple with alone.

There are many parallels between climate change and the current COVID-19 pandemic – namely the need for efforts to fight it must be done both on a large scale and by individuals at the same time.

In Pennsylvania, we have recognized climate change as one of the biggest issues facing Pennsylvania, and we are working to address it on multiple fronts.

We know that the driver of climate change is fossil fuel emissions – the exhaust from our cars and power plants and factories, among other sources – and we are taking steps to reduce them.

One of those steps is joining an effort with our neighboring states in the northeast to cut down on emissions from power plants called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or RGGI for short.

Being a part of RGGI means Pennsylvania will put a limit or cap on the amount of carbon dioxide can be emitted by electric power plants and requiring them to pay for the pollution that they create.

Power plants that generate less pollution will pay less and will be able to sell their electricity more cheaply.

Carbon pollution will decrease, our air will be cleaner, and the revenue from the program will be reinvested into the Pennsylvania economy through projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce air pollution.

Another step is to cut down on another climate change-causing greenhouse gas: methane.

This gas, which is the main component of natural gas, can be much more potent as a greenhouse gas.

DEP has been developing regulations to prevent leakage of this gas, along with other air pollutants called volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) from natural gas wells and pipelines across the state, keeping it contained in pipelines.

This regulation will apply to existing wells and pipelines, and complements requirements that are found in newer permits for natural gas wells and pipelines.

Fighting climate change is bigger than one agency though, and there are things that can and should be done by policymakers in the legislature and by leaders in the business community.

The Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan outlines cost-effective ways we can reduce greenhouse gas pollution across the state. Smart farming practices, increased use of energy-efficient appliances and equipment in homes and offices, and updating building codes can all cut down on carbon pollution.

These solutions don’t just fight climate change, in many cases they save money as well.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the power of working together as a society to tackle a worldwide threat at all levels – global, national, state, and individual.

We can put the same effort into reshaping our environment and economy for the future and fight climate change.

This is possibly the best way that we can make every day Earth Day, even if we can’t all celebrate together this year.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Earth Day 50 PA

Visit the Earth Day 50 PA website for more special events, Earth Day 1970 remembrances, environmental reading lists and more.

Related Articles - Remembering  Earth Day 1970:

Earth Day 50 PA: Edwin Charles: The Earth Day Teach-In Must Continue

Earth Day 50 PA: Marci Mowery: A Sense Of Place In This World

Earth Day 50 PA: Richard Lewis: What I Did On The First Earth Day 50 Years Ago

Earth Day 50 PA: Wayne Kober: Impact & Inspiration From First Earth Day

Earth Day 50 PA: Earth Day At 50: Progression, Emergence, Park & Rec Involvement

PA Environmental Council At 50: We Had To Do Something

PA Environmental Council At 50: Taking The Lead

PA Environmental Council At 50: A New Millennium

PA Environmental Council At 50: Securing Our Environmental Rights

Related Articles- Earth Day:

Op-Ed: My Fellow Conservatives Are Out Of Touch On The Environment - Fmr. Gov. Tom Ridge

Op-Ed: 50th Earth Day: Time To Consider Wiser Course - We Are All Of This Earth And Dependent On It - Bernie McGurl, Lackawanna River Conservation Association

Op-Ed: Earth Day 1970 Changed My Life - Carol Collier, The Academy Of Natural Sciences

Op-Ed: Earth Day 50: A Wakeup Call To The Scientific Community - Science Matters -Roland Wall, Director, Ruth Patrick Center For Environmental Research

Op-Ed: Earth Day - 50 Years And Counting - Joanne Shafer, Centre County Recycling Coordinator

Earth Day 2020 – Bringing Pennsylvanians Together Even Though We’re Apart

DEP’s Blog: Earth Day 50 PA: DEP Staff Reflections

DEP’s Blog: Peregrine Falcons Soar In PA As Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years

DCNR Good Natured Blog: Looking Toward Earth Day 2070 - DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn

DCNR Good Natured Blog: Earth Day At Home

PA Parks & Forests Foundation Posts Special Earth Day 50 PA Newsletter

PA Forestry Assn: Special Earth Day Edition Of Pennsylvania Forests Quarterly

Shippensburg University Hosted Virtual Campus Climate Commitment Signing Event

Pittsburgh Organizations Going 100% Renewable Energy On Earth Day's 50th Anniversary

Western PA Conservancy: Honoring Earth Day By Preserving An Historic Farm In Westmoreland County

Pocono Arts Council Announces Online The Earth Speaks VI - A Juried Exhibition On The Environmental Crisis

Fmr EPA Officials Release Special Environmental Protection - A Half Century Of Progress Reports For Students, Teachers 

[Posted: April 23, 2020]

4/27/2020