Celebrating 50 Years of Earth Day
April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! OEC is proud to be a nonprofit partner with Earth Day Oregon this year.
The environmental movement has come such a long way since Earth Day began 50 years ago. Here in Oregon, OEC and our partners have continued to be a driving force behind the protection of our air, water, and land.
In our first 50 years, OEC accomplished many amazing first in the nation legislative wins that continue to safeguard the health and well-being of all Oregonians today.
- 1971 – Bottle Bill and Bike Bill
- 1973 – Statewide land use planning laws to protect Oregon’s farms and forests
- 1977 – Ban on ozone-depleting chemicals
- 1983 – Pollution standards for wood stoves
- 1998 – Nation’s first for-profit car sharing firm
- 2001 – Mercury Reduction Act, including phase out of mercury on thermostats
- 2003 – Tax incentives for Pay-as-You-Drive auto insurance
- 2009 – Expanded Eco-Health Child Care Program & Clean Fuel Standards
- 2015 – Toxic Free Kids Act, protecting children from toxics in products by mandating manufacturer disclosures
- 2016 – Co-led movement to pass legislation to transition Oregon to be coal-free
But, there is so much more work to do. There is more work than any one person or organization can do and that is why it is so important for businesses across every sector of the economy and people across all walks of life to work together to protect the one world we all call home.
The environmental movement needs all voices. OEC is committed to bringing diverse voices to the table to craft equitable and transformative solutions to our most complex environmental issues. Thank you for joining with us, taking action and keeping Oregon moving forward toward a better future.
A Little History On Earth Day
Earth Day began as a response to an ever-worsening environmental crisis. Our air, water, land and very survival were under attack and people could no longer ignore what was happening. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement, and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.
Thank You To Our Earth Day 2020 Sponsors!
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