Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22i.e since 1970, when it began as a grassroots movement that ultimately inspired the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Endangered Species Act, and increased protections under the Clean Water Act.
In 1990, while living in Maryland, I visited the 20e Anniversary of Earth Day in Washington, DC. Of course I took public transportation, the subway, to the National Mall. The crowd of people and organizations educating us about the importance of our environment was astonishing and overwhelming. Everyone gathered at the Capitol steps to see the presenters – Woody Harrelson and Tom Cruise to name a few. It was a moving day and showed how the perseverance of individuals can bring about great changes in our world.
History of Earth Day
Earth Day started as an idea from a US Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson (who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Clinton in 1990 for his work on Earth Day). It was billed as a “national lesson on the environment”. The first Earth Day team included Senator Gaylord Nelson, Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey and Denis Hayes of Harvard. April 22i.e was chosen because it fell between spring break and final exams.
“Earth Day was a turning point for environmental politics and kicked off what is now the “Environmental Decade“of radical legal reform” (Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day). Twenty million Americans participated in the first Earth Day in 1970, rallying and demonstrating for a healthy environment. Groups that had worked individually to create a healthier environment united – rich and poor; Republican and Democrat; city dwellers and farmers. This created unity that eventually led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act, to name a few.
Today is Climate and Earth Day
In 2020, the theme for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is “Climate action.“We are currently experiencing many changes in our ‘climate’. Not only is extreme weather impacting the climate around the world, but in more unprecedented times our daily climate has been turned upside down and our daily routines have been dismantled. Normally we would I would encourage you to find an Earth Day event near you or take a walk (which you may still be able to do with proper social distancing), but this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, while this isn’t the case, we are sheltering in place or isolating ourselves, I encourage you to do so
- Learn more about where your local representative stands on the Clean Water Act or the Clean Air Act
- Research a national or state park you want to visit in the future
- Read Silent spring by Rachel Carson. This work revealed for the first time the link between pollutants such as DDT and the decimation of our songbirds
Earthday.orgthe official organization of Earth Day, calls on everyone to work together on the climate crisis by being part of the solution. By the end of 2020, the world’s countries will come together to address the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. It is expected that the commitment to climate protection will increase. It is our responsibility to encourage world leaders to bring these priorities to the forefront to create a better world for our next generations.
Steps you can take to celebrate Earth Day every day!
In 1990 the slogan was “Earth Day Every Day,” which I think has stood the test of time. Take a look at this video show what you can do now in your daily life to celebrate Earth Day every day.
- Reduce the use of plastic products
- Store leftovers in glass, not plastic
- Pick up litter
- Spend some time in nature every day, even if it’s from your balcony
Sources
Sandy Morehouse is a functional herbalist and teacher at WishGarden Herbs. Based in Northwest Arkansas, she is spreading the spice love to Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. She received her functional herbalist certification from the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine; certificate from Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in Medicine Making; and continues her training with Aviva Romm’s Herbal Medicine for Women course.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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