40th Anniversary of Earth Day: A Day of Celebration

21 April 2010

Related:
 • Presidential Proclamation for Earth Day (PDF 13KB)

The first Earth Day took place in 1970 in the United States and succeeded in launching the modern environmental movement.  Some 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to decry trends toward increased pollution and deterioration, and to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.  Rising environmental awareness during that period led the U.S. government to establish the Environmental Protection Agency in late 1970, and to enact ground-breaking legislation, the Clean Air Act of 1970 and Clean Water Act of 1972.

Under President Obama, the U.S. has done more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than ever before, setting domestic policies that advance clean energy and climate security and vigorously engaging in climate change negotiations.  Last December, world leaders agreed on the Copenhagen Accord, which requires actions by all major economies to mitigate climate change; transparency to see that those actions are taken; and financing and technology support for the poorest and most vulnerable nations.  The U.S. will join a global effort to mobilize by financing to help countries adapt to climate change, including preventing deforestation in regions with tropical forests, such as in Central and South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia.

Similarly, the U.S. is dedicated to improving access to clean water.  In 2005, our Congress passed the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act, which makes access to safe water and sanitation for developing countries a specific policy objective of our foreign assistance programs.  As Secretary Clinton stated on World Water Day one month ago, “It’s not every day you find an issue where effective diplomacy and development will allow you to save millions of lives, feed the hungry, empower women, advance our national security interests, protect the environment, and demonstrate to billions of people that the United States cares, cares about you and your welfare.  Water is that issue.”  To advance this goal, the United States will strengthen developing country capacity, engage diplomatically, invest in infrastructure, increase the role of science and technology, and leverage partnerships.

Ultimately, it is the collective success of many small actions that we must advance to promote our environmental agenda.  Here in the UK, clean energy development is an important bilateral priority.  The U.S. and UK public and private sectors undertake cutting edge research and develop new technologies and regulatory approaches.  We’re investing in renewable energy development including offshore wind, biofuels, energy efficiency measures for homes and buildings, and carbon capture and storage technology.  British scientists and researchers participate in exchange programs and receive grants to work in the United States.  Our governments cooperate on emissions reductions and environmental protection including wildlife and plant biodiversity.  We are aligned in our goal of attaining an international climate change agreement with legally binding commitments.  We value the work undertaken with our British counterparts and will continue to collaborate on these issues.       

Today, our planet needs international dedication and commitment to preserve and protect the earth’s resources—be it air, water, plant, or animal.  While we take time to recognize our achievements, we should not lose sight of the challenges that remain, and continue to build upon the legacy of the modern environmental movement started forty years ago.