By Alex Minter
Earth Day was April 22, 2022. Gov. Steve Sisolak took initiative to clean up Lake Tahoe while College of Southern Nevada students did their part to save the environment in the south of the state.
According to National Today, which tracks major events and holidays, “For the past 50 years, Earth Day has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe, annually every April 22, to join together in promoting awareness for the health of our environment.”
When this Day was created in 1969 by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson because he was so distraught about the massive oil spill happening off the coast of Santa Barbara, he called Americans into action. Issues from air pollution, factories and freeways, habitats for animals and animal extinction were rallied against. The EPA got involved and laws were passed.
As noted on the National Today website, “Unfortunately things are even messier than that original oil spill.” There are increasing natural disasters, extreme weather and rising temperatures, coral reefs that are dying, animals in the ocean washing up with plastic in their bellies, and so forth. The issues are huge. “But a small action like picking up litter on the sidewalk that may have otherwise ended up around the neck of an animal or in the ocean, still makes an impact.”
According to Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, one of Gov. Sisolak’s Earth Day events with staff and volunteers helped clean out Lake Tahoe. Thousands of pounds of litter was picked up. Scuba divers cleaned under the water. Many other nonprofit businesses funded this important cause. This was one good example of what can be done.
Here at CSN, students played a part.
Carmela Garcia, CSN student, said, “The steps I take to save the environment is to use a reusable cup instead of constantly using plastic water bottles and I do my best to recycle. One way to help our environment is to just throw things away to just be a decent human being because it’s not hard to walk to a trash can and throw something away.”
Angelo Sapien, CSN student, said, “I personally try my best to reduce my carbon footprint by using less plastics and using a hydro-flask daily instead. Las Vegas is a sprawling city and I utilize thrift shops to help reduce the waste of clothes.”
Majidah Corpening, CSN student, said, “The steps I am taking to save the environment in Las Vegas is to help not litter: recycle my trash. I try not to buy plastic bags and … I would probably try to save electricity and not try to use it as much and tell my friends and family to do the same. One or multiple ways to help the environment would be to save power and recycle the trash that can be recycled and to limit your food intake. What I mean by that is to try to not make so much trash.”
Robert Burg, CSN student, said, “I drive a hybrid car and I try to conserve water. I also have my own shopping bag. One way to help out the environment is to make the landscape more natural to our habitat. Since we live in a desert, instead of opting for grass that is high maintenance during all seasons, dirt and cactus … will conserve water when the state really needs it.”
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 