BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code ? 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If "YES" Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code ? 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt a Resolution Recognizing April 22, 2024, as Earth Day.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution RECOGNIZING APRIL 22, 2024, AS EARTH DAY.
Body
SUMMARY:
Every year on April 22nd, over a billion people worldwide celebrate Earth Day to raise awareness and appreciation for the natural environment. The concept of Earth Day first began in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco where peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor Earth and the concept of peace. Later in 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson along with young activist Denis Hayes organized a nationwide environmental teach-in on April 22nd, and formally called the event "Earth Day". On that day, 20 million people (10% of the total U.S. population at the time) participated in rallies across the country to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development and advocate for legislation to protect the environment. The Earth Day movement of 1970 ultimately led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
Earth Day continues to serve as a platform to promote responsible and caring acts for the environment, thus improving quality of life. It is celebrated in more than 192 countries each year and promoted by the non-profit Earth Day Network.
According to the Earth Day Network, the theme for Earth Day 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics" as a call to advocate for widespread awareness of the health risks of plastics, rapidly phase out all single-use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion.
With this Resolution, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) can further promote its mission for flood protection, environmental stewardship, and providing Silicon Valley with safe,...
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