A round-up of articles and Cook County resources to celebrate Earth Day today and beyond
Apr 22, 2024 11:00AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Amy Shamblen on Unsplash.com
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 22, 2024
It's been 54 years since the first official Earth Day celebration took place in 1970. Inspired by events in the 1960s such as the release of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, and the student anti-war movements, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created the idea for a teach-in to bring awareness to water and air pollution. The movement gained national media attention and would bring 20 million people (10% of the US population at the time) to that first Earth Day event around the country.
Each year, people across the United States continue to participate in Earth Day celebrations and learn about ways to make a difference and get involved, and this year is no exception. 2024 in particular seems especially important for those in Cook County and along the North Shore due to the upcoming closure of the Mocassin Mike Landfill in 2026. With the closure, two pilot programs are set to take place this spring (a closed-loop compost program at a local Grand Marais farm and increased access to recycling in Finland), with hopefully more in the works.
And while infrastructure changes are necessary, there are things community members can do at home to reduce waste and increase recycling and composting. The average American produces 4.5 lbs of waste a day, but research shows that approximately 2/3 of our current waste stream can be recycled or composted.
Below is a round-up of articles to learn about different environmental issues in Cook County, many of which include local resources to help you make changes today and beyond:
Learn ways to reduce light pollution at night
Of course, this list is not all-inclusive of all the work being done by local community members and organizations. Learn more by checking out this list of just some Cook County non-profits doing environmental work.
Related: Let's Plant Trees tackles impacts of spruce budworm, wildfires, and climate change by offering free seedlings, education, and connection
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 22, 2024
It's been 54 years since the first official Earth Day celebration took place in 1970. Inspired by events in the 1960s such as the release of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, and the student anti-war movements, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created the idea for a teach-in to bring awareness to water and air pollution. The movement gained national media attention and would bring 20 million people (10% of the US population at the time) to that first Earth Day event around the country.
Each year, people across the United States continue to participate in Earth Day celebrations and learn about ways to make a difference and get involved, and this year is no exception. 2024 in particular seems especially important for those in Cook County and along the North Shore due to the upcoming closure of the Mocassin Mike Landfill in 2026. With the closure, two pilot programs are set to take place this spring (a closed-loop compost program at a local Grand Marais farm and increased access to recycling in Finland), with hopefully more in the works.
And while infrastructure changes are necessary, there are things community members can do at home to reduce waste and increase recycling and composting. The average American produces 4.5 lbs of waste a day, but research shows that approximately 2/3 of our current waste stream can be recycled or composted.
Below is a round-up of articles to learn about different environmental issues in Cook County, many of which include local resources to help you make changes today and beyond:
Reducing Waste/Upcoming Mocassin Mike Landfill Closure
Microplastics
- Microplastics pose big problems for Lake Superior's beaches
- Laundry is a top source of microplastic pollution – here’s how to clean your clothes more sustainably
Reduce food waste
- Tips to Reduce Food Waste (note: these tips are geared towards the Thanksgiving holiday, however, they can be applied for any time of year).
Learn ways to reduce light pollution at night
Learn the truth about single-use plastics
Of course, this list is not all-inclusive of all the work being done by local community members and organizations. Learn more by checking out this list of just some Cook County non-profits doing environmental work.
Related: Let's Plant Trees tackles impacts of spruce budworm, wildfires, and climate change by offering free seedlings, education, and connection
