Date Posted: 04.22.2021
I have been fortunate to visit many of our treasured National Parks over the last several weeks. The majesty, beauty and resilience of nature foretells a bright future.
Today is the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, who quickly hired Seattleite Denis Hayes to organize the effort. On that first Earth Day, more that 20 million demonstrators took to the streets in the United States, invoking the formation of the EPA and many of our keystone environmental laws.
This year’s Earth Day marks some major achievements. The United States has rejoined the Paris Climate Accords; there is an amazing Executive Branch vision of infrastructure investment focused on equity, sustainability and resilience; non-profits are driving deep sustainability; campuses are going carbon neutral; corporations have signed on to the “Climate Pledge”; Washington state will not allow the sale of fossil fuel powered vehicles in 2030; and several of our cities have passed “all electric” building laws.
We have all experienced a very challenging year, but there is a bright future. Let us “High Five” for Earth Day 2021 and together continue to Design for Positive Change!
I have hope.
Bert
