An Earth Day To Remember

By Todd Danielson, Chief Utilities Executive, Avon Lake Regional Water

Probably all of us have seen or read about dramatically improved air quality, water quality, and nature while stay-at-home orders are in place around the world, few manufacturing facilities are operating, and limited cars are on the road. Many of us have seen it with our own eyes. At work the other week, I saw a fox walking across our parking lot; and I am regularly hearing coyote cries at night. On NPR the other day, I heard a story saying that people are asking if the birds are chirping louder. No, there is just so much less noise.

This pandemic has been called “The Great Pause.” As with any major life-changing event, it is a time for reflection and for people to determine how they want to come out of it. I, for one, believe that this has allowed some to remember the importance of nature and that we should be a symbiotic part of this world, not a parasitic part. The economy and the environment CAN coexist. A clean environment leads to people spending money to enjoy nature, buying homes in/near natural beauty, and staying healthier (which allows them to work more), to name a few. Conversely, a more polluted environment leads to increased health conditions (higher healthcare/insurance costs), more extreme weather events that damage property (higher insurance costs), and larger future environmental cleanup costs, as examples. We simply need to modify our considerations as we choose alternatives. We need to place value on the environmental and social benefits/costs of alternatives (i.e., consider the so-called triple bottom line).

Personally, I’d rather do more to protect the environment now so that I can enjoy the view, remain healthier, benefit from higher real estate values, and prevent my kids from having to pay for environmental cleanups my generation ignored. I still believe I have the power to change the world, and I want that change to be positive.

As we sit at home taking a break from working in our home office or from tutoring our kids, or from whatever else on this Earth Day, I ask you, “Have you enjoyed this improved air and water quality? Have you enjoyed seeing and hearing nature? Have you enjoyed getting outside?” And, most importantly, I ask you, “What do you want your future and your legacy to be?”

Ponder this and have a happy Earth Day.

Todd and his family enjoying a beautiful day at an apple orchard last fall