Protecting Natural Resources for Future Generations: Earth Day

by Kat Wilkerson, Content Marketing Specialist

 
 

Happy Earth Day 2023!

This annual celebration honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations. But you might be asking yourself, why has this day become so important?

The number of severe weather and natural disaster events in the U.S. increased from an average of 12 annual events to 20 between 2010 and 2022, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The rise of natural disasters is a sign that our environmental impact needs to improve, and urgent action is required. However, it’s important to understand that not all natural disasters are within the same category, meaning:

  • Some are caused by mother nature, like earthquakes and volcanoes; 

  • Some strictly come from severe weather, like tornadoes, hurricanes, and hail

  • Some natural disasters can cause other natural disasters

    • For example, let’s say an earthquake occurs right off the coast – that earthquake could create a tsunami.

From an organizational and community standpoint, there are three goals for natural disaster emergency preparedness: save lives, protect property, and limit the degradation of our environment. Everything we do as a society should accomplish those three things, and disaster preparation lets us implement that planning before the incident happens.

Responsibly responding to global emergencies is essential, and our emergency preparedness, relief, and resiliency must be environmentally conscientious. When implementing a sustainable Emergency Response Program (ERP), organizations and communities should ensure their plan can withstand and overcome damage (property damage, lost economic opportunity, etc.) without significant outside assistance. It’s about increasing your capacity to respond to these disasters and prioritizing your limited resources based on the threat.

Now a truly global movement, Earth Day has become a leading light in combating climate change, raising awareness of environmental issues, and providing a forum for people to get involved. It’s almost impossible to be fully prepared, but any level of preparedness that you do today will help ensure you are better prepared than you were the day before. Our survival could depend on it.

For additional resources and more information on how to build your Emergency Response Program, please visit Alertus’ Professional Services.

Kat Wilkerson