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10 little things you can do to make a big difference this Earth Day

Vaseline

Akron Beacon Journal Editorial Board
| Akron Beacon Journal

Next Monday is Earth Day, the global event that takes place every year on April 22 to raise awareness and support for environmental protection.

During the first Earth Day in 1970, more than twenty million Americans protested to demand action against rampant air and water pollution caused by decades of industrial development.

Later that year, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – to address environmental problems.

In these days of deep political division, convincing state and national lawmakers to agree on the aggressive measures needed to combat climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss is a challenge.

Still, some promising signs are emerging locally in the Akron-Canton region.

Akron’s Polymer Industry Cluster, one of 31 new “tech hubs” across the country, is in the running for millions of state and federal dollars for research and development, much of which is aimed at creating safer, more sustainable polymers and plastics.

Akron was also recently selected as one of 25 U.S. cities in Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year initiative designed to pursue and implement local solutions “to build low-carbon, resilient and economically thriving communities.” Akron will have a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team with as many as three dedicated employees, made available through a three-year, $200 million initiative that uses federal funding to address two intertwined problems: climate change and racial wealth inequality.

The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority has been a national leader in adding zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses to its fleet. Through a chemical reaction, fuel cells convert oxygen and hydrogen into electricity that can power a vehicle, such as a bus; the only byproduct is water.

SARTA’s fuel cell buses have developed a number of problems, so the transit authority opted last year to purchase eight paratransit vehicles that run on compressed natural gas while the manufacturer fixes the problems. SARTA also announced plans to use federal grant money for two electric buses and two chargers.

And the City of Kent last year adopted its Climate Action Plan, which includes detailed steps to reduce emissions and waste, pursue sustainable energy options, encourage planting of new trees and expand education and outreach.

Of course, we don’t have to wait for federal, state, or even local government to take action.

In honor of Earth Day, here are 10 little things we can all do that together will make a big difference:

  • Use bottled water as a last resort. Instead, opt for reusable, refillable sports bottles whenever possible.
  • Use refillable containers for household cleaners and personal care products.
  • Use paper wax sheets to reduce the number of plastic containers that end up in landfills.
  • Donate reusable items to thrift stores or other programs.
  • Take advantage of the federal tax credits available under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for the purchase of clean vehicles and energy-efficient home improvements.
  • Plant only native plants, which feed local species and are often resistant to local pests and diseases, reducing the need for fertilizer and pesticides.
  • Only flush toilet paper. Unused medications, chemicals, wipes, diapers and menstrual products are difficult to remove from the water supply.
  • Instead of buying a single-use item, see if you can borrow it.
  • Get involved in local cleanup or tree planting efforts. Keep Akron Beautiful, for example, is launching an effort April 27 at Hardesty Park to plant 100,000 trees citywide by 2034 to expand the city’s shrinking tree canopy. Visit https://shorturl.at/chDT7 for more information.
  • If you read this in the print edition, please make sure you recycle the newspaper.

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