June 22, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary since the Cuyahoga River fire. The 1969 fire was by no means the first fire on the river (at least 13 others were reported prior to that) or even the biggest (the largest fire cost more than $1 million in damage). But the story of this fire landed Cleveland in Time magazine's report on the nation's environmental problems.
However, this fire served as a catalyst for passage of the Clean Water Act and the first Earth Day celebration. Since that time, Cleveland has made strides to not just clean up the river, but to create a vibrant "green city on a blue lake" that offers economic, social, and environmental opportunity for all. How are we faring? How are we addressing our current environmental problems: lead paint, heat and air pollution, plastic pollution and algae blooms in Lake Erie, and storm water run-off? What else can - and should - we be doing?
Join us for dinner and conversation on the evolution of environmental activism in Cleveland.