For what it’s Earth…

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Every year, on April 22, people around the world turn their attentions to the thing that keeps us all grounded... the Earth. Our planet is the one thing that every human being has in common and, in an effort to ensure that we keep this spaceship of ours in good shape, we celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day is an environmental movement that began in 1970, over 50 years ago. Back then, Americans were experiencing a huge boom in industry, and with inefficient cars that ran on leaded gas, and factories expelling copious amounts of smog and toxic runoff, the vast majority of the population remained oblivious to the impact “progress” was having on the Earth, as well as the implications it had for the health of the public. Companies didn't worry about repercussions of lax waste disposal systems, and regulations to control pollution by big corporations wasn't as much of a consideration as it is today.
Not all of America's people were oblivious to the problem, however. In 1962, an author by the name of Rachel Carson published a New York Times bestseller called Silent Spring, which raised public awareness and concern, not just for the environment, but the organisms that depend on the environment, mankind included. This publication began to turn the gears for environmental conservation in America.
In 1969, a massive oil spill occurred in Santa Barbara, Calif., which wreaked havoc on local ecosystems. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who had been concerned for some time about the continually deteriorating environment in the United States, took action. Seeing the drive and energy that accompanied student anti-war protests, he sought to infuse those activists with consciousness about pollution and conservation. He announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to the national media. Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, served as his co-chair. Denis Hayes, a young activist, was recruited to organize the teach-ins. April 22 was chosen, as it fell between Spring Break and final examinations, which would enable the student populations to attend more freely.
The movement exploded with support, as more Americans became aware of the impact of irresponsible industrial development and the damage that was currently being done to the environment and sensitive ecosystems across the country. The effort was accepted and promoted through a wide variety of organizations and faith groups. The day was coined Earth Day, and it inspired 20 million Americans (at the time, 10 percent of the American population) to take to the streets, parks and auditoriums to spread awareness and organize protests. Groups that had previously been working as individuals against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, unregulated pesticides, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife united on Earth Day around their shared common values.
The first Earth Day received support from both Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor citizens, urban dwellers and farmers, businesses and labor leaders, making it a rare politically aligned movement. By the end of 1970, the first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, paving the way for other environmentally conscious laws to eventually come, such as the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Heath Act (OSHA) and the Clean Air Act. Two years later, Congress would pass the Endangered Species Act and then the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Together these laws are responsible for protecting millions of American citizens from disease and death, and have protected hundreds of species from extinction.
In 1990, Earth Day went global, as environmental leaders compelled Denis Hayes to once again organize a campaign. This campaign mobilized 200 million people from over 140 countries. The focus deepened for recycling efforts worldwide. And Earth Day became a world-wide observance.
Now that you have some of the history down, here are some ways you can celebrate Earth Day today:
Look for ways you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle around your home or office. Water bottle empty? Consider refilling it with filtered water from the tap, rather than throwing it away. Turn off lights when you don't need them, and turn your air conditioning up a few degrees while you are not home. These habits will save you money in the long run, and are better for the environment.
Give your car a break. Consider biking to the grocery store, or walking to meet a friend. Not only will you save money on gas, but your body will thank you for the extra fresh air and movement.
Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Reduce plastic waste by using your own grocery bags; those plastic store bags just go immediately into the bin anyways.
Reduce your junk mail. Sign up for electronic statements and online bill pay. This will reduce the amount of mail you will get in your mailbox, reducing the amount of paper you throw away.
Recycle your used electronics. Broken computers, laptops and phones can be recycled for free at many manufacturers, who may use them for their intact parts, which reduces the amount of parts being manufactured as well as the amount of parts that end up in a landfill.
Pick it up. Consider spending the afternoon in the great outdoors! Enjoy a picnic or leisurely stroll around your neighborhood, local park or around town. While you are there, collect any trash you see and dispose of it properly. Not only will it improve the quality of your hometown, but you'll feel good knowing you helped clean things up!
Get involved. There are a number of reputable organizations that you can donate to or join that are dedicated to taking care of the planet. Visit www.networkforgood.org for a list of Environmental organizations near you.
Earth Day is a great way to remind ourselves to take good care of this planet we live on. We do not have a back-up. But if we are to really protect our home, we need to create good habits that last for longer than a day, and instill those habits and mindfulness down to our children. May every generation do better than the one that came before. May we as a collective learn from our mistakes as a species and move forward with intention. May Earth Day be every day.