COLUMBUS, Ohio – As environmentalists observe Earth Day for the 44th year, they say climate change is the biggest concern and the planet is at a critical point.
Measures have been taken to reduce carbon pollution from new coal-fired power plants and reduce vehicle emissions, but some environmentalists believe putting a price on carbon would have the most beneficial impact.
“There are all kinds of things we can do on an individual level and those all make a huge difference but there needs to be a level playing field so that businesses and energy providers can all participate in affecting the changes that will bring about the reductions in carbon,” says Scott Sanders, executive director of the Earth Day Coalition in Cleveland.
Sanders says research supports that human action is affecting the climate and thinks governments need to put in place policies and technologies to reduce carbon’s impact.
The Earth Day observance in Columbus consists of a week’s worth of volunteer cleanup projects, because cause little things mean a lot, according to the event’s organizer.
“There’s so many kind of small activities that you can do and I think that there’s a lot of personal action that does make a difference,” Tad Dritz, founder of Green Columbus, said.
Dritz says the small efforts are as important as the big ones, like free curbside recycling.
Sanders also encourages Ohioans to reduce, recycle and compost trash; implement energy-efficiency measures in the home; support local and sustainable food; and use clean transportation modes.