APRIL IS EARTH MONTH – IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE
by Jo Haberstok
In the decades leading up to the first officially designated Earth Day in 1970, Americans had been consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Smoke and sludge were being emitted from manufacturing sites with little fear of the consequences from either the law or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as inevitable. While much of the country remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatened human health, there were a few groups fighting individually against oil spills, polluting factories, raw sewage, pesticides, and the extinction of wildlife.
The foundation for Earth Day may have actually been laid in 1968. That’s when the US Public Health Service organized the Human Ecology Symposium, which invited students to come and listen to scientists talking about the impact of the deteriorating environment on human health.
There are many impacts of environmental degradation, and they are hazardous for both living organisms and the environment. These include the loss of biodiversity, human health issues, ozone layer depletion, scarcity of resources, loss of ecotourism and natural calamities or disasters.
How does all of this relate to quality? As quality professionals, we can help Mother Nature (and future generations) by learning more and promoting awareness in others about processes like avoiding deforestation, reducing consumption levels, reusing resources, recycling environmental products and waste management.
The social and cultural environments we saw back in the 70’s are rising up again today a frustrated generation of younger individuals refusing to settle for platitudes and who are instead demanding a new way forward. Digital and social media are bringing these conversations, protests, strikes and mobilizations to a global audience, and motivating generations to join together to take on these and other challenges. Social media has allowed for more involvement, more diversity, more inclusion, and more voices to be heard.
As Individuals, we have the power to make our voices heard – as voters, consumers, watchdogs. What each of us does, and how we do it, can have a huge ripple effect on our ecosystems and on corporate and government actions. We are responsible for holding business, governments, and others accountable and to support their efforts when they get it right.
The theme for the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which is officially celebrated on April 22, is Our Power, Our Planet. As quality professionals, we can be agents for change, helping to transform processes, behaviors and culture. Change starts with action.