Earth Day 2024: Soma Tech’s Commitment to Sustainability

 

1. History Behind Celebrating Earth Day
2. What does Earth Day mean?
3. Current Environmental Issues
4. The theme of Earth Day 2024
5. What Can You Do To Support Earth Day?
6. How Does Soma Tech Intl implement environmental principles?
7. Final Thought

One of the most perilous challenges that we are all facing is the well-being and sustainability of this very planet we call home. The major factors contributing to the decline of natural ecosystems are attributed to our human actions. The plundering of natural resources as if there is no tomorrow, the false dependency on fossil fuels, deforestation, the increasing rate of urban sprawl, nuclear and plastic waste…the list goes on. The question is, what are we doing to fix these major issues? This is why Earth Day is at the center of it all. Besides expanding our awareness and understanding of the topic, there is so much that we can all do to implement change. Let us dwell further into the purpose and significance of Earth Day.

HISTORY BEHIND CELEBRATING EARTH DAY

In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Industries released smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Until this point, mainstream America remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns. However, the stage was set for change with the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment as it raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment, and the links between pollution and public health.

Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Senator Nelson wanted to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to the national media. They recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize the campus teach-ins and they chose April 22, a weekday falling between Spring Break and final exams, to maximize the greatest student participation. The annual event grew in size and popularity after 1970. By 1990, Earth Day went global.

Earth Day was the push the nation needed and not long after Congress passed major initiatives that would become the foundation of the nation’s environmental laws, including the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

WHAT DOES EARTH DAY MEAN?

Although Earth Day’s popularity has grown significantly since its inception decades ago, not everyone is aware of what it stands for and the potential role it has played in contributing to environmental legislation. Earth Day means the fight for a clean environment and the urgency to address environmental issues, especially climate change. Climate change has been caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuel gases into the atmosphere. Which in turn, raises global temperatures and disrupts weather patterns. The impacts of climate change around the world include extreme weather events such as massive floods and intense wildfires. In 2021, thousands of scientists warned that ignoring climate change will yield “untold suffering” for humanity.

All in all, Earth Day is an opportunity to hold sectors accountable for their role in damaging the environment while calling for innovative solutions. It is encouraged that action from all levels should be taken in contributing to a greener society including governments, businesses, and the general public.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Our environment is constantly changing. There is no denying that fact. However, as our environment changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround it. With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different types of weather patterns, and much more, people need to be aware of what types of environmental problems our planet is facing. Some of the major environmental problems include:

• Climate Change: Global warming is the result of human practices such as the emission of greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures and causes natural disasters that include flooding, melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels, and unnatural patterns of flash floods, hurricanes, wildfires, drought, excessive snow, or desertification.
• Deforestation: Our forests absorb carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen, regulating temperature, and rainfall. Without it, the effects would be greenhouse gas increase, climate imbalances, soil erosion, wildlife extinction, and much more.
• Unsustainable Waste: The huge production of waste due to our hyper-consumption is a major threat to the environment. This results in non-biodegradable trash in the form of plastic, electronic waste, and harmful chemicals that leach into our waterways.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Ecosystems that took millions of years to perfect are in danger due to natural habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, and much more.
• Natural Resource Depletion: Increased use of natural resources leads to several other environmental issues, such as industrialization, population growth, and air pollution. Over time, natural resource depletion will lead to an energy crisis.
• Ocean Acidification: It is a direct impact of excessive CO2 and a reduction in the PH level. The main impact is on shellfish and plankton in the same way as human osteoporosis.
• Overpopulation: The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces a shortage of resources like water, fuel, and food.
• Ozone Layer Depletion: The ozone layer is an invisible protective shield that blocks out most of the harmful UV radiation from the sun. The depletion of the Ozone is attributed to pollution caused by man-made Chloro-fluoro carbon gas.
• Polar Ice Caps: The melting of polar ice caps could lead to an increase in sea level, extensive flooding, affect weather patterns, disrupt ocean currents, and wildlife endangerment.
• Pollution: While water pollution is caused by an oil spill, acid rain, and urban runoff, air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins released by industries, factories, and the combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly caused by industrial waste that deprives the soil of essential nutrients.
• Soil Degradation: Soils get damaged due to many reasons such as erosion, overgrazing, overexposure to pollutants, soil compaction, and much more.
• Urban Sprawl: The migration of the population from high-density urban areas to low-density rural areas results in land degradation, increased energy use, pollution, and destruction of wildlife habitats.
• Waste Disposal: Excessive amounts of waste are being dumped in the oceans and in less developed countries. Particularly, nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health hazards associated with it.

THEME OF EARTH DAY 2024

The theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Invest in Our Planet”. This year’s theme focuses on engaging the more than 1 billion people, governments, institutions, and businesses who participate in Earth Day to recognize a collective responsibility and to help accelerate an equitable, prosperous green economy for all. The goal of the campaign is to push aside the barriers erected by the ancient, dirty fossil fuel economy and their co-conspirators – old technologies of centuries past – and redirect attention to creating a 21st-century economy that brings back the health of our planet, protects our species, and provides opportunities for all.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT EARTH DAY?

In its simplest form, Earth Day is a day for people to step back, take a deep breath, and appreciate Earth in all its splendor. But for many people, Earth Day holds the potential to ignite broad environmental actions. Here are several things you can do which in turn could help lead toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

• Conserve water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually ends up in the ocean.
• Drive less: Try to be conscious of not doing any unnecessary driving. By walking, biking, or riding public transportation, you can reduce the amount of fossil fuel pollution.
• Educate: When you further your education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.
• Make your home energy efficient: From improving insulation to using LED lights to getting solar panels installed, improving a house’s energy efficiency helps both the environment and saves you a lot of money in the long run.
• Plant a tree: Besides providing good shade, trees offer food, oxygen, and clean air, and help combat climate change. So why wouldn’t we want to prioritize this?
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three “R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
• Shop second-hand: You’ll be reducing impacts on the environment and waste from the overproduction of new merchandise.
• Shop wisely: Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag. Try to buy local, ethical, and environmentally sustainable products. If you can’t go local, go ethical and sustainable.
• Spend time outside: Sometimes we get so caught up with our daily lives that we forget to appreciate the natural beauty this planet can offer.
• Start composting: Composting biodegradable food and materials is a great way to feed the soil, organisms in the soil, and plant life while reducing waste.
• Use long-lasting light bulbs: Energy-efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, make sure to flip the lights off when you leave the room. This not only helps cut down on your electricity bills but also for the betterment of the environment.
• Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer in community cleanups, grow a community garden, participate in public park conservation, or help out wildlife rescue and rehabilitation programs near you.

HOW DOES SOMA TECH INTL IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES?

Here at Soma Tech Intl, we are committed to a green standard by refurbishing capital medical equipment back to its manufacturing specifications. This ultimately offers hospitals and medical centers options for more sustainable medical equipment. And for good reason—sustainable medical devices are not only beneficial for cost savings, improved brand and competitive advantage, and consumer attractiveness but also for the environment. Ultimately, when you choose refurbished over brand-new medical equipment, you make a positive environmental impact.

• Mining of valuable natural resources such as metals, polymers, silicone, and even ceramics is reduced.
• Reducing the demand for manufacturing reduces air pollution.
• Carbon emissions resulting from transport are reduced.
• You cut down on waste by keeping retired assets out of landfills.

If you’re interested in purchasing refurbished equipment for your medical facility, you can contact us at 1-800-GET-SOMA or email us at [email protected]. One of our knowledgeable sales representatives can assist with your medical equipment needs.

FINAL THOUGHT

The need for change in our daily lives and the movements of our government is growing. Since so many different factors come into play, such as voting, governmental issues, and the desire to stick to a routine, many people still don’t consider that what they do will affect future generations. If we continue moving forward in such a harmful way toward tomorrow, then there will be no future to consider. By raising awareness in your local community and within your families during Earth Day, you can help contribute to a more environmentally conscious and friendly place for future generations. What do you do to support Earth Day? How will you invest in our planet? Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment down below!