Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and the City Council of Philadelphia declared October 12th as Children’s Environmental Health Day in the city. This is the second year in a row the nationwide celebration has been proclaimed in Philadelphia. Below is the text from the proclamation:
RESOLUTION
Designating Thursday, October 12, 2023 as ‘Children’s Environmental Health Day’ in the City of Philadelphia, and recognizing the importance of clean air and water, safe food and consumer products, healthy environments and a stable climate to children’s health and development.
WHEREAS, the aim of Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) Day raises awareness to ignite local, regional and international action to support and advance safe and healthy environments for all children; and
WHEREAS, CEH Day was created by the Children’s Environmental Health Network and is observed annually on the second Thursday in October as a means to celebrate progress of the children’s environmental health movement and create a strong network of child health advocates; and
WHEREAS, lead exposure, poor air quality, mold, chemicals in consumer products and food supply, and diminishing water and soil quality are negatively affecting Philadelphia’s children; and
WHEREAS, the burden of extreme heat and a changing climate are most felt by the young and future generations, and we have begun to see the impacts locally with our recent wildfire smoke air quality emergency; and
WHEREAS, there is a community of nonprofit organizations, volunteers, neighborhood associations, researchers and institutions, including the Philadelphia Regional Center for Children’s Environmental Health (PRCCEH), that are working together to solve children’s environmental health issues in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, this network of child health and environmental advocates are utilizing the latest research and community guidance to develop programs and resources to lower rates of childhood asthma and improve housing conditions and air quality, such as the Community Asthma Prevention Program and the Environmental Health Consultations in collaboration with the City’s Built to Last Program; and
WHEREAS, CEH Day encourages individuals and organizations to raise awareness and understanding of children’s environmental health issues, seek improved protections for all children, and to perform acts of sustainability or environmental health wellness; and
WHEREAS, together, we can safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of society’s most precious and vulnerable group, children; therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby designates Thursday October 12, 2023 as Children’s Environmental Health Day.
