A reflection on the 50th Earth Day (Op-ed)

Photo by Rose Cohen ‘22

by Abby Wester ’22

Fifty years ago, twenty million people across the United States took to the streets on April 22 to observe the first Earth Day, protesting environmental degradation and its effects on human health. As the nation was inspired and infuriated by the findings in Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”, Senators Gaylord Nelson and Pete McCloskey launched a college teach-in project, with the goal of informing students about air and water pollution. But as their idea gained traction and coverage, it turned into a nationwide demonstration including folks from all walks of life. 

On the 50th Anniversary of the first Earth Day, the celebration was very different. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, many of us recognized the environmental holiday while practicing social distancing, thus not in crowds of millions. 

With all of the passion surrounding environmental issues fifty years ago, you would think that the power of the people would take hold and help better our ecosystems and human health. However, as I look around in 2020 while self-isolated from the outside world, I see that environmental issues have not gotten much better. And some have gotten much worse. Sure, more environmental laws are in place, more research has been conducted into these issues and public awareness has increased. But climate change has already begun affecting many regions of the world, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions drastically before 2030. 

It has been additionally proven that environmental degradation and climate change do not affect everyone equally. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a study in 2018 that found particulate matter - a pollutant caused by fossil fuel combustion that can result in adverse human health outcomes - is disproportionately higher in communities of color and impoverished communities. And climate change is already affecting developing and impoverished nations, furthering global inequality.

With environmental injustice and the impending uncertainty of our global ecosystems, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and not know what to do to fix it. While it is important to do individual things that benefit the Earth, it is also important to understand that the security of our planet is above what one person can do on an individual level. Societal changes need to happen in order to right centuries of environmental wrongs. 

Similar to the global pandemic we are all facing, it takes a whole society to change their habits, social distance and stay inside to reduce the spread of the COVID-19. One individual’s actions will not eradicate the virus, but the collective awareness and responsibility of society will help beat it.

It is not your individual job to solve all of the Earth’s environmental issues. But as a good world citizen, it is your job to understand them and the connected injustices. The first thing we can do is educate ourselves. Learn what environmental issues are important in your area, research local groups and see what you can do to get involved. Then educate those around you, because if everyone is involved on a local level, societal change can be achieved.

Staying green during COVID-19

Hand-sewn masks by Zoe Heard ‘20

by Cayley DeLancey ’21

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises wearing cloth masks when going out into public to avoid transmission of the virus through the air, especially in areas such as the grocery store where social distancing measures are more difficult to maintain. The CDC outlines that all face coverings should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing without restriction and not get damaged in the laundry. 

Many people have taken to making their own masks so that medical masks can be saved for health care providers. Making masks at home with reusable materials is also a way to promote sustainability. 

“I think it’s fun because it’s a productive use of my time that takes me away from screens,” said Zoe Heard ’20, who has started making masks while on campus. “Plus, it’s given me a way to feel productive and like I am doing something. I’ve started making masks for other people and I want to make more to donate. There are a lot of uncertainties right now but there is a little comfort in being able to do something proactive.” 

Heard said that making masks is not challenging. “My knots can be a little hectic but as long as it’s assembled well, it works, and assembly is not the hard part. I also enjoy taking clothing items that I thought would not have any use, like jeans with holes in places that make them unwearable, but now I get to recycle them into something that can help others.” Heard hand sews their masks following instructions by the CDC.

Reusable cloth masks aren’t the only way to practice staying safe sustainably. Clorox wipes are in high demand right now. They can be hard to find in stores, as cleaning supplies are needed by hospitals and nursing homes, but reusable cleaning wipes can be made from home. All you need is cut-up pieces of fabric (microfiber works best but an old cotton T-shirt works as well) and a mixed cleaning solution made of products you may already have at home.  The CDC recommends a cleaning solution of one quart of water to four teaspoons of bleach, which can be sprayed onto a surface and then wiped down. Read more about this recipe here. Disinfectant wipes can also be made using 70% alcohol, and essential oils can be added for fragrance. Read more about this here.

Many people have been making their own hand sanitizer using alcohol and aloe vera gel. According to medical experts, this can be risky due to the careful balance of ingredients that must go into making hand sanitizer. It is easy to make one that isn’t effective enough, or is too strong and may damage your skin. Washing your hands thoroughly, wearing gloves and not touching your face is more effective and safe. Read a New York Times article on this here.

You can also look into getting vegetables from a local farm. Some farms are now bringing pre-packaged boxes of fresh and local produce into urban areas, which can be pre-purchased and picked up with limited contact. Not only does this limit contact with other people while shopping, but it also means you’re eating local vegetables and supporting a local business.

If you’re missing the outdoors, some of the National Parks have created virtual tours. Several environmental film festivals have also moved online due to COVID-19. The Banff Mountain Film Festival has all of their films for this year online to be watched for free. Films vary from 5 to over 60 minutes long and document outdoor activities around the world.

Finally, make sure to do what you can to help your neighbors and community. Donate money to a local food bank, or extra masks to neighbors who can’t make their own. Volunteer at a food drive, or help an elderly person go shopping. Most importantly, stay safe!

Environmental Inequality and COVID-19

by Abby Wester ‘22

When COVID-19 emerged earlier this year, the virus seemed to equally affect people, no matter their life circumstances. Everyday people, celebrities, professional athletes and world leaders alike have all been diagnosed with the virus. However, the past few weeks have proven that to be untrue. Instead, the effects of the pandemic have highlighted societal inequality, specifically in the United States. One form of inequality tied to the effects of COVID-19 is environmental conditions. 

A study published by Harvard University on April 5 concluded that “a small increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5 [particulate matter] leads to a large increase in COVID-19 death rate.” PM2.5 is fine, organic or inorganic particles found in the air, some of which can be caused by pollution (such as burning fossil fuels) and are harmful to human health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), long-term exposure to air polluted with PM2.5 can result in respiratory and heart problems. As COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness, there is a link between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and increased death rates of COVID-19.

“[We] have known for quite some time (early 2000s) that there is a correlation between air pollution exposure and increased severity (morbidity) and death rates (mortality) of viral respiratory infections,” says Professor Jennifer Albertine, visiting lecturer in environmental studies at Mount Holyoke. Professor Albertine teaches courses relating to the environment and human health. She wrote her dissertation on the intersection between climate change, air pollution, plant biology and human health. 

“We find the highest levels of environmental pollution in our poorest communities. A majority of which are also communities of color. We also see the lowest access to health care in these communities as their minimum wage jobs do not provide health insurance and the access to doctors is reduced due to financial access.” Professor Albertine explains. The inequity in the placement of pollution creates a detrimental compounding effect on the lives of poorer communities and communities of color. This makes the pandemic not only a health crisis, but an economic crisis as well. 

However, Professor Albertine explains that the racial and economic inequities of the coronavirus pandemic do not stop at those individuals. “[It] is these same communities that grow our food, stock our grocery shelves, work in our factories and essentially make our economic system go and so we are looking at reduced access to the goods and a huge impact on our economy. Thus even the richest are affected by this inequity.”

In the conclusion of the Harvard University study, the authors said “[the] study results underscore the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations to protect human health both during and after the COVID-19 crisis.” 

Professor Albertine says that regulations alone are not the only solution. “We need to stop putting profit over people. Capitalism needs to be put in check. And we need equitable access to health care for all. This pandemic has shined a light on these inequities and showed us that we can’t continue this way.”