Expresses support for honoring Earth Day and its role in promoting environmental action, addressing climate change, and correcting environmental injustices.
Doris Matsui
Representative
CA-7
This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and its role in promoting environmental awareness and action. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on environmental protection and highlights ongoing challenges like climate change. The resolution urges continued action, referencing recent legislation and emphasizing the need to address environmental injustices and promote environmental literacy. It also encourages the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and urges Americans to observe it through various environmental activities.
Resolution Backs Earth Day, Urges Climate Action and Rejoining Paris Agreement
This resolution formally recognizes the significance of Earth Day, tracing its roots back to April 22, 1970, and celebrating its role in sparking environmental awareness and action. It's essentially Congress giving an official nod to the importance of environmental protection, acknowledging milestones like the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and landmark laws such as the Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act that followed the first Earth Day.
More Than Just Marking the Calendar
The resolution isn't just about looking back; it highlights the environmental challenges we face now, particularly climate change. It frames Earth Day not just as a historical event, but as an ongoing call for environmental citizenship. It specifically points to recent efforts like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 as crucial steps, recognizing the significant funding directed towards clean energy and climate resilience through these laws. The text also includes a warning against rolling back existing environmental protections, emphasizing the need to safeguard progress.
A Governmental Nudge for Greener Action
While a resolution doesn't create new law itself, this one serves as a strong statement of priorities. It formally urges the President to issue an Earth Day proclamation and calls on the U.S. Government to rejoin the Paris Agreement – a key international accord focused on climate change. It pushes for concrete actions like cutting greenhouse gas emissions swiftly and tackling environmental injustices, which often disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Furthermore, it encourages regular citizens to get involved by learning about environmental issues, sharing knowledge (including indigenous environmental wisdom), and taking action year-round, honoring the legacy of Earth Day founder Senator Gaylord Nelson.