Monday, April 22, 2019
Earth Day 2019
Today the world marks the anniversary of the Earth Day celebration which began in 1970. The idea grew from the efforts of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. His ambition -- foster greater awareness of our environment and create opportunities for us to share knowledge to be better stewards of our planet.
A lesser known, but vitally important tool in our work to protect our environment here in Massachusetts, is Article 97 of the state's Constitution. In 1972 voters adopted Article 97 as a new amendment to the Constitution to safeguard the people's right to a clean environment.
In part it says - "The people shall have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic, and
esthetic qualities of their environment; and the protection of the people in their right to the conservation, development and utilization of the agricultural, mineral, forest, water, air and other natural resources is hereby declared to be a public purpose."
Happy Earth Day!
