Environmentalists converged at the state Capitol today to
celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Many pointed out
the pollution has been cleaned up over the years. While others
said there’s still a lot to do. Back on the first Earth Day in
April 1970, the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection didn’t even exist. The mighty Connecticut River was
known for its stench. And there were no deposits to recycle
bottles and cans. State Representative Denise Merrill says since
then Connecticut has become an environmental leader among
states. “We have an enviable record on environmental progress in
this state. And today is a day that we can celebrate that.” But
others pointed out what the state still could work on. “My name
is Georgia White. I’m 11 years old.” White is one of a group of
children who testified before the environment committee about
problems like light pollution.” “You can’t see the stars for one
thing, which is bad for astronomers. And animals and ecosystems
are often messed up by exces