Earth Day Origins
Why do we celebrate Earth Day? When was this day declared the designated day to celebrate the earth. Well, the first Earth Day that was ever celebrated was in the year 1970. During this time, it was common to see large corporations consuming huge amounts of leaded gas through the use of automobiles. Business owners knew air pollution was occurring, but this was viewed as the “smell of prosperity”.
As many continued to witness the lack of concern to be environmentally consciousness Senator Gaylord Nelson the representative for the state of Wisconsin wanted to jump into action. He was one of many in positions of power who saw a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Senator Nelson was also moved by the ongoing student anti-war protests. So, wanting to engage with young students he proposed a teach-in on college campuses. He chose the day April 22nd strategically because it was between two major events for colleges: Spring Break and Final Exams.
After his proposal was implemented, the idea gained so much traction and got national news attention. Groups that had previously been fighting for individual causes began to unite and Earth Day became known as a day to be environmentally conscious of things such as air pollution, ice caps melting, the loss of wilderness and wildlife, polluting factories etc…
Celebrate Earth Day
As a way of remembering why Earth Day was created make sure to do something special on April 22nd each year. There are so many different things to choose from! For example, you could hike a new trail to admire what the great outdoors has to offer.
Volunteer
Maybe you like to socialize with people. So, try to reach out to organizations that collect plastic off beaches and local roads to try and keep a safe environment for wildlife.
Plants
Although everyone may not be the best at taking care of plants some require less maintenance than others. Adding a plant to your living space can be a great idea for various reasons. Some benefits include that they improve your indoor air quality and can boost your mood!
Feed the Birds
On April 22nd make a bird feeder. This is a simple project that can have a large impact on an ecosystem. A bird feeder will provide a source of food for birds, squirrels, and other creatures. The best part is that you can observe how your contribution made a positive impact.
Visit a Farmer’s Market
It’s always a good thing to enjoy local foods grown. However, there is added benefits. Having the opportunity to consume locally grown food and goods is actually environmentally conscious. By buying these local items you are saving trucks the trips to transport food long distances which cuts down on peoples’ carbon footprints.
Change your Habits
There is never a limit to how self-aware someone can be. On Earth Day, take the time to adopt a new environmentally conscious habit. A new habit could be carrying reusable bags to buy your groceries, use less plastic in your home, buy your own water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles, or even using environmentally safe cleaning products.
No matter what you choose to do an April 22nd, make sure to take a moment and appreciate all that the earth has given us. Making small changes might seem obsolete but if every person makes a small contribution, it does make a difference.