Some readers of this commentary surely know the significance of tomorrow. Tomorrow we observe Earth Day. On “X” – formerly twitter (Oh how I wish Mr. Musk would restore that name and much more to that “platform”) – I saw hashtags #EarthDay, #EarthDay2024 and #EarthDay24; take your pick; I expect to use at least two of the three. The environment matters to me; in my legal and government careers I got to meet and work with many a noted environmentalist in the legal and policy spheres. During my time working as top aide (counsel/chief of staff) to New York city council member who chaired its Committee on Environmental Protection, I worked to develop and pass significant environmental laws; that includes the landmark New York City Recycling Law (1989 Local Law 19). Others include The Right to Know Law(mandating the disclosure of toxic chemicals – 1988 Local Law 26), the Spill Bill (“The Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Law” – 1987 Local Law 42 – covering accidental releases of hazardous substances), mandating the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles (1991 Local Law 6), the ban on apartment house incinerators (1989 Local Law 39) and regulating the disposal of medical waste (1988 Local Law 60; 1989 Local Laws 39 and 75). When I moved on the Bronx Borough President, I developed a Clean Air Plan and proposed a New York City Clean Water Law (Wouldn’t be nice if the current administration and/or the City Council appropriated either policies?). More recently I proudly assist Amalgamated Transit Unions serving MTA bus riders in Queens issue annual Earth Day Messages; last year’s was released on Earth Day “eve.” The message when released tomorrow can be viewed here. I’d be remiss not to mention co-chairing Gotham GREEN®, one of the many networking groups part of Gotham City Networking which hosts this commentary each Sunday. In that role I also help select the annual “winners” of its Gotham Green Awards® which some readers certainly ought to apply for; everyone ought to suggest candidates in these three categories:

√ Green Business or Green Initiative;

√ Green product, program or building; and

√ Green/Sustainable non-profit organization.

The 2024 Earth Day theme, Planet vs. Plastics, “calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion.”

Many take steps every day but definitely tomorrow please find your own way to help save our earth (and if you please share it in the comments below.).