RI DEM Offers Ideas for Celebrating Earth Day 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is encouraging Rhode Islanders to celebrate Earth Day - Tuesday, April 22 - by joining a local clean up, taking easy steps to improve the environment or simply getting outdoors and enjoying nature in a state parks and management areas.
According to DEM Director Janet Coit, "We've made significant progress since the first Earth Day. Our air, rivers and Narragansett Bay are cleaner. We've preserved thousands of acres of natural areas. We're becoming more energy efficient. And, we're recycling more than ever." Coit continues, "We all share responsibility for protecting the environment, and take steps to ensure a good quality of life for our children and grandchildren."
Coit recommends getting outdoors as a great way to celebrate Earth Day: "Rhode Island is fortunate to have an abundance of easily accessible parks, beaches, management areas and bike paths where families can picnic, walk, bike, fish, or just enjoy the natural beauty. Getting out in nature is good for body and soul. I hope Rhode Islanders will use Earth Day as a motivation to explore the green woods, sandy shores, and sparkling waterways that grace Rhode Island." Rhode Island has fourteen state beaches, seven major state parks, 40,000 acres of state rural forestland, and over 400 miles of shoreline providing a diverse amount of conservation land and access points.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Great Outdoors Pursuit
Coit urges families to sign up for The Great Outdoors Pursuit. Registration is open for this summer-long game, led by DEM and the Department of Health, designed to help children and their families enjoy the recreational resources our state parks offer and encourage more physical activity. The kick off for Great Outdoors Pursuit is Sunday, May 18th at Lincoln Woods State Park.
Since its start in 1970, Earth Day has served as a yearly catalyst for ongoing environmental education, action and change. Activities surrounding Earth Day rekindle personal commitment and broaden the base of public involvement through active participation in a wide variety of events.
Although Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, Rhode Island residents can mark the occasion at local and regional cleanups, environmental festivals and other "green" events over the next several weeks. The venues and themes vary, but a common thread remains: environmental awareness and stewardship.
Earth Day events are occurring all across Rhode Island; find one in your community.
Take 3
The Department also encourages Rhode Islanders to "Take 3." Take 3, is a call to action that encourages citizens to raise their environmental consciousness by committing to take three easy steps to conserve water and energy, reduce waste, support local farms and conservation efforts, and improve the environment. Find ideas here
"Earth Day reminds us to take care of the lands and waters that sustain us," added Coit. "That responsibility requires action every day of the year."
Related Slideshow: New England’s Healthiest States 2013
The United Health Foundation recently released its 2013 annual reoprt: America's Health Rankings, which provides a comparative state by state analysis of several health measures to provide a comprehensive perspective of our nation's health issues. See how the New England states rank in the slides below.
Definitions
All Outcomes Rank: Outcomes represent what has already occurred, either through death, disease or missed days due to illness. In America's Health Rankings, outcomes include prevalence of diabetes, number of poor mental or physical health days in last 30 days, health disparity, infant mortality rate, cardiovascular death rate, cancer death rate and premature death. Outcomes account for 25% of the final ranking.
Determinants Rank: Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population. For clarity, determinants are divided into four groups: Behaviors, Community and Environment, Public and Health Policies, and Clinical Care. These four groups of measures influence the health outcomes of the population in a state, and improving these inputs will improve outcomes over time. Most measures are actually a combination of activities in all four groups.
Diabetes Rank: Based on percent of adults who responded yes to the question "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?" Does not include pre-diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy.
Smoking Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are current smokers (self-report smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke).
Obesity Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.
Related Articles
- Campaign Update – Environmental Groups Endorse Cicilline
- NEW: Forum on Flexible Work Environment for Employers
- Candidates, Activists Go the Extra Mile for Health, Environment
- NEW: Major Environmental Violations on Providence Waterfront
- 10 Best Earth Day Events
- Environmental Report Card Issued Today
- NEW: RI Environmental Group Opposes Off Shore Drilling
- 10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
- Former Miss RI Allison Rogers Wins National Environmental Fellowship
- NEW: Save The Bay Seeks Nominations for 2013 Environmental Awards
- Earth Day Bulb Swap at Pawtucket Farmer’s Market
- Key Environmental Review Launched for Offshore Wind Area
- NEW: Smiley Unveils 14 Environmental Commitments for Providence
- Family Matters: 18 Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day
- Kilmartin Would Create Environmental ‘Strike Force’
- RI Department of Environmental Management Announces State Park App
- Rob Horowitz: New Polling Provides Some Hope for Earth Day
- Lawmakers Receive Mixed Grades on Environmental Report Card
- UPDATED: AG, Environmental Group Appeal Deepwater Case to Supreme Court
- DEM Hosts Free Fun Outdoor Activities for February School Break
- NEW: DEM Praises Voters for Approving Environmental Bonds
- Union Says Environmental Issues at the Heart of Allens Ave Protest
