Archive for the Anniversaries Category

Do you love your Mother? Well, if so, you should know that today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day … a special day created back on April 22, 1970 to “inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment”. As the world’s population gets larger and the need to manufacture things from the Earth’s resources increases, it becomes even more important to be Earth-aware so that we — as a species — work together to do our very best to care for our planet so that we nurture and sustain her as she nurtures and sustains us. Earth Day is meant to inspire and remind us all that we have a precious charge in our care … saving her means saving us:

From grassroots beginnings in 1970, Earth Day—which celebrates its 40th anniversary today—has blossomed into a global tradition. Organizers expect more than a billion to honor Earth Day in 2010—but many will do so with Facebook rather than megaphones. As part of the Billion Acts of Green, an initiative organized by the Washington, D.C.-based Earth Day Network’s Green Generation campaign, more than 30 million people will use social media to encourage green activities. One commenter on the Earth Day Network Web site named “Elroy,” for example, plans to “shower with a friend”—presumably to conserve water and electricity. Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network, said that everyone is part of what she calls the green generation, which marks the transition from the industrial revolution to the green revolution. The campaign aims to make Earth Day’s 40th anniversary the moment when the green generation comes together to address pressing environmental concerns, such as the global freshwater crisis and global warming. “The idea that we can all belong to something is what’s exciting people and what’s making them want to join,” Rogers said … Hundreds of events are held each year across the world on and around April 22 to mark Earth Day, Rogers said. (Related: “First Green Supersonic Jet Launches on Earth Day.”) Among the highlights for the 40th anniversary include the first community garbage cleanup in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, which does not have garbage-collection service. Rogers said that event is a stepping-stone in the establishment of an environmental movement in India. “I think people would be extremely disappointed if it went back to the way it was,” she said. The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, will formally announce a National Charter for Environmental and Sustainable Development on Earth Day 2010. The novel idea was inspired by the Earth Day movement in the U.S., Rogers noted. “He’s a king that wants to represent the fabulous side of environmental protection,” she said. “It’s very forward thinking.” Earth Day Network’s marquee event in the U.S. is an April 25 star-studded rally in Washington, D.C., calling on the nation’s political leaders to combat global warming. Big-name speakers at the rally include the Reverend Jesse Jackson; film director James Cameron; and a roster of musical guests including Sting, Bob Weir, and Tao Rodríguez-Seeger, grandson of folk singer Pete Seeger, who performed at the first Earth Day teach-in in Washington, D.C.

Earth Day is a rare opportunity for the inhabitants of the planet to work together toward a common cause. In order to really make a difference, all you need to do is to be more Earth-conscious and change your habits in very small but significant ways. David and I have been working on cutting down our use of plastic. We purchased a bunch of recyclable canvas bags for shopping and now refuse any plastic bags that are offered to us … it’s not much but it’s something. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a list of 5 Things you can commit to in order help make a difference in helping the environment. I say, doing just one of those things will make a difference. I think Earth Day is a great way to remind us that we are all connected by the common bond of the world we live in and on … if we all work together to share the responsibility of taking care of our home, we all get to reap the benefits of a happy and healthy Earth :)

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