From The Riverkeeper:
Fifty years ago Earth Day was a call to action by environmental activists who were so alarmed at the pollution of the environment that they knew an awakening of awareness about the situation had to start with demonstrations. People gathered at colleges, town and city squares, in capitals – and a movement was born.
My personal awakening to the pollution that was crippling the environment started with a mid 1960’s reading of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Letter writing and lobbying for passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 was another key moment for me in the environmental movement. It’s hard to believe that was also almost 50 years ago.
As the world struggles to pull through the current Covid19 health and economic crisis, we should not lose sight of the gains we have made against pollution over the past five decades. We need to remain vigilant against political maneuvers to roll back significant environmental regulation – and take action when we see that happen.
Save The River is continuing to inform legislators when we learn or hear of rollbacks in important environmental legislation that affects the water quality of the River and Great Lakes. Your support of our mission to restore, preserve and protect the Upper St. Lawrence River now and for generations to come through advocacy, education and research is critical. Please consider renewing your membership now.
Thank you for your many years of support of Save The River – and The River.

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Earth Day at 50: Local environmental groups eye goals to continue progress
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day, more than 30 students from Indian River Central School in Philadelphia rode their bicycles to Jefferson Community College and presented a plaque to John A. Cecil, assistant professor of geology and chairman of the Committee on Environmental Problems.
Photo Credit: Watertown Daily Times