This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Celebrated every year on April 22, Earth Day is thought to be the largest secular observance in the world as individuals and organizations from across the globe participate in actions that promote a healthier environment for future generations. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Earth Day 2020 theme is “Action for Earth.”

For the DOE Office of Legacy Management (LM), Earth Day presents an opportunity to reflect on the office’s stewardship mission.

“I’m glad to be joining DOE in reflection on this 50th anniversary of Earth Day,” said LM Environmental Program Manager Tracy Ribeiro. “Ensuring the future protection of human health and the environment is at the heart of our mission in Legacy Management. This mission drives us to be better stewards every day at our 100 sites, but Earth Day is an extra reminder of why our work is so important as it’s for those that come after us.”

The seeds for Earth Day were sown in 1969 when Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, concerned about the onslaught of environmental crises in the 1960s, made plans for a nationwide day of education and activism on April 22, 1970. Public participation in the event was extraordinary, and a tradition was launched.

“So many things have changed over the past 50 years, from the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and environmental regulations, to new advancements in technology and people’s behavior towards the environment,” said LM Reuse Asset Manager Joyce Chavez. “Science has given individuals new information and tools to continue the next generation’s drive to protect and enhance the environment.”

“I’ve seen some great conservation work happen in the U.S. since the 1970s—cleaner air, cleaner water, wildlife species saved from extinction,” added Marilyn Kastens, Ecosystem Management Team lead for LM Strategic Partner (LMSP). “I’m happy to see that Earth Day is still here, as we humans will always need to question the potential impacts of our actions.”

Ribeiro pointed out that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) also celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. “Both NEPA and Earth Day were initiated by the need to make better decisions and improve awareness after several environmental disasters in the 1960s,” she said. “Both spur us to make the earth a better place.”  

As part of LM’s Environmental Management System (EMS), the office incorporates environmental considerations into all aspects of its mission to maximize beneficial reuse of finite resources, minimize wastes and adverse environmental impacts, and meet or exceed compliance with applicable environmental, public health, and resource protection laws and regulations. Individual EMS sustainability teams focus on areas that include energy, electronics, sustainable acquisition, water conservation, resilience, and vehicle and fuel use.

Visit DOE Earth Day for additional Earth Day resources.