How You Can Make A Difference | Earth Day 2017
- Olivia Cigliano and Andria Ahrens
- Apr 22, 2017
- 2 min read
Happy Earth Day! Today is a wonderful day to appreciate the beautiful planet we live on! It is immensely important to be informed on the many effects of Global Climate Change that face our daily lives. All over our earth, from land to sea, from flora to fauna, drastic changes are occurring right in front of us. This may seem overwhelming and you may feel that you cannot make a great enough change by yourself, but every piece of action adds up and will create positive change.
Political Outreach
by Andria Ahrens
Many environmental issues are out of reach from everyday citizens and so it becomes necessary for government officials to pass legislation aimed at conservation of natural resources and reducing pollution. First and foremost, you can help by becoming educated on the issues that matter to you and the proposed bills pertaining to those issues. It is also pertinent to actively reach out to your representatives and implore them on supporting or blocking bills that could protect or harm the environment. As a citizen your voice is vitally important in the direction of all local governments and your opinions should be heard and respected elected officials at all levels of government.
How to Contact:
Countable is an online, Apple, and Android friendly app that quickly and easily allows you to inform yourself on important current events and the legislation surrounding them. Countable also puts you in quick contact with your representatives via email. Furthermore the app contains a forum platform, allowing you to debate and discuss with fellow constituents.
For a more traditional route, simply visit
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/, enter your zip code and be provided with the phone number and address of an official's office and you may call them or write a letter concerning the bills you wish to be blocked or supported.
Important Issues and Bills:
H.R.2000: CLEANER Act of 2017- Introduced to House April 6, 2017- Intends to tighten regulations on businesses, forcing them to test toxicity level of waste products for frequently and raises the standards on what can and cannot be disposed in lakes, rivers, etc.
S.746: TRASH Act - Introduced to Senate March 28, 2017 - Would raise standards for disposal of garbage, particularly tighter regulation of landfills
H.R.1673: Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2017- Introduced to House March 22, 2017- proposes to provide $35 Billion annually to modernize US water infrastructure system, reforms would deal with issues from replacing dated pipes in residential buildings to ensuring schools have water bottle refill stations
H.R.1430: HONEST Act- Introduced to House March 8, 2017- Would prohibit the EPA from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating a covered action unless based on sound, independently sourced scientific and technical information
H.R.861: To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency- Introduced to House February 3, 2017- Proposes to dismantle the EPA by December 31, 2018
As always, make sure to get involved with local politics and make small changes to your everyday life in order to create your own impact.
Don't forget to go outside and enjoy the fresh air!
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