A reader’s perspective

“Earth Day isn’t about one single day. It’s about a way we should be living every day to make our planet sustainable.”

  The first Earth Day was celebrated in the United States on April 22, 1970. It was established to educate people about the importance of the environment. According to Earth Day Network, 1 billion people participate in Earth Day events every year in 192 countries.

  Being the President of the Saugus River Watershed Council for over a decade, a member of the Sierra Club, a member of Conservation Law, a member of the Friends of Breakheart, and a past President (and current member) of the Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment, Earth Day has always held great meaning to me. It’s a time to educate people about conservation, recycling, endangered animals, climate change, and the positive impact of volunteering to help our planet. Many people celebrate Earth Day by participating in a cleanup, like at Breakheart Reservation for Park Service Day (starts at 10:00 a.m.) or at Marshview Park (starts at 9:30 a.m.), both being held on April 23, 2022. Others choose to plant a tree, reduce energy for 24 hours, or visit a park or zoo. Another “win-win” is to clean your closet and donate your clothes & other items to a needy organization, such as the Veterans, Big Brothers Big Sisters, or the Epilepsy Foundation. There is even a Facebook page called “Saugus Up For Grabs,” where people post items they no longer want.

  I am proud that Saugus is a designated green community, which is not only good for the environment, but we’ve received approximately $900K in grants. We have our solar farm, CHARM center (for hard to recycle items), and our beautiful bike/rail trail. In fact, Saugus was first declared a “Tree City” by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1998.

  Earth Day is also about recognizing that we are responsible as human beings for what we do to our planet – with our technology, construction, and transportation. More importantly, we need to be civil to one another.

  We need to respect each other’s opinion, and should not be hostile with people we disagree with. It’s about being understanding, giving, and being willing to listen.

  We need to consider future generations, so we need to think and act responsibly. Once a natural resource is gone, it’s gone forever. Once an animal is extinct, it’s gone forever. Reduce, reuse, recycle is not just a phrase; these are three important components we should live by as responsible consumers. Everybody wants and needs clean water and clean air.

  Earth Day isn’t about one single day; it’s about a way we should be living every day to make our planet sustainable. I hope everyone does something fun on Earth Day, even if it is just going for a walk and enjoying the day.

Editor’s Note: Debra Panetta is in her 11th year on the Saugus Board of Selectmen, serving a two-year term as its Vice Chair. She has been active with several environmental groups and has worked on a number of issues over the years which have led to the betterment of the environment. She is currently President of the Saugus River Watershed Council and is past President and a longtime member of the Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE). In addition, she has been a member of Friends of Breakheart, the Saugus Garden Club and the Conservation Law Foundation. She is the recipient of the 2019 John O’Conner Grassroots Leadership Award from Clean Water Action. She also received an award from SAVE in June 2018 for her commitment to the environment.