April is Earth Month, an opportunity to focus on the natural world around us and ways in which we can be better stewards of the environment.
Nowadays, there are tree plantings, festivals and other fun activities to educate and inspire people, especially children, about how to take better care of Mother Earth. But it wasn't that long ago that the Cuyahoga River caught on fire or that pollution from factories caused the outdoors to be so sooty that people couldn't see much sunlight in the afternoons.
Scientists and their research has quickly advanced knowledge about our ecosystem and the flora and fauna around us. It's remarkable to think of all that we've learned in the past century and some of the things that we've been able to accomplish, such as the shrinking of the hole in the Earth's ozone.
But there's still much work to be done. International organizations and individual countries are clamoring to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, one of the biggest drivers of climate change. Experts are warning that the next 25 years are critical for the future of our planet.
There's no better time to test you knowledge about Earth Day and the environmental movement. It's also a chance for you to examine what impact you are having on the planet and to consider ways to shrink your footprint. And, as safety professionals, you are in the unique position to wield your influence on your co-workers and company.