El Pasoans Talk About The Environment On Earth Day
Friday marked the 41st anniversary of Earth Day, but not many El Pasoans knew that.
Those who did said we should celebrate and protect the Earth every day.
According to a recent study, most Americans don’t agree. Gallup has been conducting the environmental poll for nearly 30 years.
Some Borderland residents don’t reflect the poll’s findings.
“It’s for our next generation, too. We have to take care of it,” said Carlos Lavender. He, along with others spent Earth Day enjoying the outdoors.
Every year since the early 1980s, a random sample of adults has been asked the same question, “Which statement do you most agree with: Protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth or economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent?”
The poll was first conducted in 1984. Since then, Americans’ positions have climbed in favor of protecting the environment.
There have been a few dips, but the priority remained with the environment. By 2009, the trend flipped and economic growth became the priority.
Americans’ priorities changed again last year after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But according to this year’s poll, about 54 percent of Americans are giving economic growth priority over environmental protection.
“There are a lot of Americans, who in this economic downturn, are going through though times. We’ve heard of the debate in Congress on scaling back on the EPA, the argument being that you want to improve the economy,” said District 7 City Representative Steve Ortega.
He explained that now there’s really no need to choose one or the other. “I think the city has taken a very strong role in promoting environmental consciousness. All of our new buildings are LEED certified, we’re trying to take the lead in having solar power in our city buildings and so we want to promote economic development, while taking care of the environment at the same time. And quite frankly, I think that’s the model for the 21st century,” Ortega said.
But when it comes down to choice, for those like Lavender, the environment wins hands down.
“Leave our nature, leave our lands alone. This is for the next generation to enjoy,” Lavender said.
To take a look at the Gallup poll, click here.
