Earth Day: how do you plan to celebrate?

Annually, April 22 is a day set aside to honor the Earth. According to thelivinggreensolution.com, “Each year, people gather on Earth Day to engage in events that focus on the planet and our relationship with it. We celebrate Mother Nature in all her glory and reflect on things we might be able to do differently to protect our resources. Earth Day is an opportunity for individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to join together and take action towards a more sustainable future.” It’s been stated that Earth Day is now observed in 175 countries and is the largest secular modern day holiday in the world.

THE SEED THAT PLANTED EARTH DAY

In 1969, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat who represented the state of Wisconsin from 1963 to 1981, channeled his passion for all things environmental to conceive the first Earth Day. It became official in 1970, drawing 20 million participants. The Wilderness Society, of which Nelson was a counselor following his governmental service, reports that while in the Senate, Nelson “authored legislation to create a national hiking trails system, and the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail System. He also sponsored or cosponsored several key pieces of environmental legislation, including the Wilderness Act. His efforts led to bedrock environmental laws such as the Environmental Protection Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.”

HOW EACH ONE OF US CAN CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

The Internet abounds with ways we can help conserve and keep our planet clean and safe for all living things. Energy saving tips, ideas on reducing our consumption of gas and water, and re-purposing, recycling and reusing materials, are just a few of the concepts we now call “green,” but which were, in fact, central to the Earth Day model more than 40 years ago.

Engaging children in their early years can instill a lifelong respect for our planet. Activities such as planting a garden, recycling, eliminating bottled water and plastic bags, starting a compost pile, and bicycle riding and walking, all bring friends and families together with the common goal of living Earth Day daily, not just on April 22nd. Think about what “green” means to you: life, nature, balance, sustainability, environmental consciousness, energy efficiency, earth-friendly. So this Friday, recommit yourself to being a good steward of our planet earth. It’s the only one we’ve got.