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 [1].

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 [4].

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 [5].

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