Res 0593-2015

By Council Members Richards, Rosenthal, Chin, Constantinides, Eugene, Gibson, Johnson, Koo, Rose, Cohen and Menchaca Whereas, Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22, is an annual event that takes place in more than 192 countries worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection; and Whereas, The first Earth Day was initiated by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, on April 22, 1970, when 20 million Americans participated in demonstrations across the country to bring attention to the lack of federal environmental laws and regulations, and to demand that environmental issues be included on the national policy agenda; and Whereas, The first Earth Day was one of the largest grassroots demonstrations in the nation's history and was largely successful in drawing attention to environmental issues in the United States; and Whereas, In the ensuing years, Congress authorized the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency; the country enacted federal environmental laws and regulations including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act; and vast improvements in environmental conditions have been made consistently for more than four decades; and Whereas, In 1990, environmental leaders launched a campaign to expand Earth Day celebrations beyond the United States, and as a result, Earth Day events took place in 141 nations on April 22, 1990, elevating the status of environmental issues on the international policy agenda; and Whereas, Today, the greatest environmental issues that the international community faces include rapid climate change, natural resource depletion, waste disposal and pollution; and Whereas, In some countries, cities and communities, including New York City, a week-long celebration is held, called Earth Week, which culminates on Earth Day; and Whereas, Earth Week 2015 will be held from April 19 to April 25; and Whereas, During Earth Week 2015, activities will be held throughout New York City and the world to support, promote and practice environmental protection; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes and endorses Earth Week 2015. BTM LS 3214 2/23/2015 6:20pm