EARTH DAY 2008:
Work With Your Community to Help Protect the Environment

Now that it's springtime and Earth Day 2008 is here, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) encourages the public to consider community strategies that help protect our local and global environment. These days, a great deal of information is available about how we, as individuals, can be "green," but less attention has been given to the ways that communities can work together to lessen their collective impact. On this Earth Day, use the following strategies to help make your community more environmentally responsible.

Encourage energy conservation. Did you know that conserving energy is a great way to protect the environment and save money at the same time? Help your community to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the availability of public transit, installing energy-efficient lighting, and promoting green buildings. These efforts will go a long way towards making your community more sustainable. To learn more about renewable energy and energy conservation, visit: www.mass.gov/dep/energy.htm

Protect water resources. Fresh water is an increasingly valuable and threatened resource. Communities can conserve water and protect water quality through strategies such as discouraging dumping wastes into storm drains, using rainwater collection systems, and promoting wetland conservation www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/watercon.htm

Start a citizen's environmental organization. You can join forces with other residents to increase recycling rates, reduce global warming, and improve environmental health in your community. With planning and organization, your group efforts to identify and solve environmental problems will pay off. A step-by-step U.S. EPA toolkit for fostering "green communities" can be found at: www.epa.gov/greenkit/index.htm

Start an idling reduction campaign. Unnecessary vehicle idling wastes fuel and contributes to air pollution and global warming. If only 10 percent of the approximately 4.5 million private vehicles in Massachusetts idle for 10 minutes a day, the result is adding 38,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year to the atmosphere. Additionally, idling vehicles release a host of air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter, which negatively affect human health. Working with your community to educate drivers about the importance of idling reduction is a very effective way to improve environmental quality. MassDEP's Idling Reduction toolkit can be found at: www.mass.gov/dep/air/community/depirkit.pdf

Initiate community-supported agriculture (CSA). CSA is a partnership between local farms and a community, providing a direct link between the production and consumption of food. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. In return, the farm provides a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. CSA encourages the production of local food, and creates a responsible relationship between communities and farmers. For more information, see: www.umassvegetable.org/food_farming_systems/csa/

Encourage smart growth. It is possible for communities to grow without creating sprawl. Intelligent zoning strategies allow for mixed residential and commercial use and encourage pedestrian access to commercial areas. Well-planned growth helps preserve open space and reduce air pollution from automobiles. See: http://commpres.env.state.ma.us

Improve recycling programs. Increasing recycling rates within your community helps to conserve resources and save landfill space. Recycling also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the energy intensive extraction of natural resources. In fact, recycling helps Massachusetts residents reduce the equivalent of 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, the yearly output of 1.6 million passenger cars. For more information on how to participate in your community recycling program, and to learn more about what can be recycled, visit MassDEP's web site at: www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/

Support environmental initiatives in schools. The MassDEP Green Team is an interactive educational program that empowers students and teachers to help the environment and slow climate change through waste reduction, recycling, composting, pollution prevention, and energy conservation. You can encourage your child's teacher to register for this program. For more info visit: www.thegreenteam.org

Increase transportation options. Carpooling, bicycle lanes, public transit and car sharing are all good options that help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Making these alternatives easy and attractive in your community means that fewer residents will choose to take solo trips by car. MassRIDES is a statewide travel options program that provides free assistance to commuters, employers, students, and other travelers. See: www.commute.com

Reach out to your community. Work with members of local government, businesses, and environmental organizations to reach your environmental goals. Take advantage of town meetings, media outlets, and web sites to get your message across. The more you get people to support environmental initiatives in your community, the more effective your efforts will be.

There are dozens of local and regional environmental events happening in conjunction with Earth Day 2008. For a listing of Earth Day events in your area, visit: www.mass.gov/dep/public/depcal.htm   From there, click on "Earth Day."

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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