Right now, things feel dark – they feel uncertain. We find ourselves afraid of strangers, afraid of the news, and afraid of tomorrow.

But while we worry about the worst, we have so often found the best in ourselves.

We’ve seen cities join together while isolated, opening up their windows to cheer and applaud the healthcare workers who are putting themselves on the front lines, day after day. We’ve left grocery bags outside our neighbors’ doors, with the things we know they’re struggling to find. We’ve stood together – even while we’re six feet apart.

We are a force for good – and we can harness that power to build a safer, healthier, and cleaner future.

As Americans – and the world – move past this crisis, Congress will consider how to give a boost to our economy that will empower us to rebuild and put people back to work.

We’ve set a goal: We’re going to deliver 50,000 messages to Congress on Wednesday, April 22nd – the 50th anniversary of Earth Day – calling on them to act now to build a better future for our families, our communities, and the generations to come.

And since we put out that call to action this past Wednesday, EDF supporters have sent 34,897 message for us to deliver, getting us more than halfway to our goal. But my records show your message is still missing.

Will you join us? Add your name today, and we’ll deliver your message – along with tens of thousands of others – on April 22nd.

50 years ago, America was in crisis – and operating under an administration that saw no value in environmental protection. The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill spewed 3 million gallons of oil along the coast, killing over 10,000 seabirds, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. Rivers were so filled with pollution that they caught on fire. The iconic bald eagle and its fellow birds of prey were on the brink of extinction as DDT took its toll.

Americans rose to the call – and Earth Day was born. 20 million Americans poured out into the spring sunshine in peaceful demonstrations calling for environmental reform.

And President Richard Nixon – who had, behind closed doors, called environmentalists “enemies” bent on “destroying the system” – signed  14 major pieces of environmental legislation and created the Environmental Protection Agency.

50 years later, our country is in crisis again. We know that this time it’s different. Our first priority must be caring for those who are sick, limiting the spread of the virus, and protecting those suffering the dire economic consequences of this crisis. 

As Congress makes investments in our future, they must build a better one – where less pollution is pumped into our air, everyone’s water is clean and safe to drink, and all communities are equally protected from the dangers of environmental degradation.

This Earth Day, let’s make sure Congress knows what Americans expect from them: a better future for 100% of us.

Thank you for taking action,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Manager