Yesterday was Earth Day, and somehow (and even unfortunately) it seems to have passed all too quietly. Is our Earth in such good shape now? I think not. And yet — despite the lack of attention — much is being done to try to remedy that. Recently, the Minnesota Legislature overturned Governor Pawlenty’s veto for funding to relieve traffic congestion, expand transit, and improve Minnesota’s roads. The governor himself approved long-term funding for land conservation. The House passed a bill that would pave the way for the adoption of a
regional cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and an omnibus energy policy bill that would boost solar and wind power and tighten greenhouse gas regulations. And the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment will now be on the November 4, 2008 voting ballot. Here’s an email I received from Vote Yes Minnesota, a campaign promoting the amendment.
Dear Friend,
It was 38 years ago yesterday that a small band
of concerned citizens joined together to create Earth Day to bring
attention to the degradation of our plant. Over the years, interest in
our environment has surged and waned. However, our continual decline in
natural resources has not.
It is fitting then with all the discussion this week around the environment that the Vote Yes Minnesota Campaign launches its website.
Vote
Yes Minnesota is the campaign to support the Clean Water, Land and
Legacy Amendment. This amendment will fund the protection of our
drinking water sources, enhance and restore our wetlands, prairies,
forests, and fish, game and wildlife habitat, preserve our arts and
cultural resources, support our parks and trails, and shelter, enhance,
and restore our lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater.
Take action now by joining our growing campaign at www.Yesfor MN.org.
Right
now Minnesota needs your help. Because while we have much to treasure,
we also have much to lose. Minnesota’s natural and cultural resources
are both critical to maintaining our states high quality of life.
Unfortunately, they are also both among the first areas to be cut in
times of budget crisis. Funding for our natural resources is at an all
time low. There is an urgent need that is not being met and we must
act now before the things we love about Minnesota are gone forever.
We
can do something to protect the Minnesota we love. The legislature put
the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment on the ballot this fall for
citizens to vote on. It is up to us to protect our drinking water and
provide funding for the cleanup of our rivers, lakes and streams. This
amendment, the largest in our nations’ history, gives us a chance to
act now by providing dedicated funding for the next 25 years to
preserve our natural resources before they are lost forever.
We need your help in this campaign, please join us in this historic effort at www.YesforMN.org.
To
paraphrase Margaret Mead, never underestimate that a small group of
thoughtful people can change the world, indeed, it’s the only thing
that ever has. Many years ago a small group created Earth Day, and now
we stand here with an historic opportunity to make sure the things we
love about Minnesota are protected and passed on to future generations.
Our campaign looks forward to joining with you and other Minnesotans in this important effort.
Sincerely,
Ken Martin
Campaign Manager
Vote Yes MN