Image Source: NASA and the NSSDC
April 22, 1970. Earth Day birthday.
After witnessing the devastation caused by a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif., and inspired by the student anti-war movement, Gaylord Nelson, then U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, announced a national teach-in on the environment. And so, Earth day was born.
That first year, more than 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthy and sustainable environment. I was a senior in high school in a small Midwestern town. My parents, my sister and I marked the day in our own way, vowing to be more proactive in protecting our precious environment--every day, not just on Earth Day.
Admittedly, I'm no environmental saint. But, I try to do my part in many small ways in hopes that my efforts make a difference.
This Sunday, April 22, more than a billion people around the world are expected to observe Earth Day by participating in events, activities and acts of green.
Our daughter and her boyfriend are making a difference by purchasing a small plot in a community garden within walking distance of their house. They regularly compost and recycle. She walks to work and campus, driving as little as possible.
Our son and his girlfriend, who are apartment dwellers, have parked their cars to the extent they can and bike or walk to campus every day. They planted a vegetable and herb container garden that resides on the terrace of their apartment. One of their plant containers falls right in my repurposing wheelhouse. They sowed their lettuce (above) in a wheel rim left over from one of my son's previous repurposing projects.
Not fully confident that our nighttime temps will stay above the freezing mark, I haven't done my planting yet this season. But, I do plan to expand the smorgasbord of flowers that attract butterflies and other plants that serve as food to their larvae. I have scheduled annual service of our central air conditioning system and sprinkler system/rain sensor to ensure both work as efficiently as possible. I remain firmly committed to my five R's: Reduce, reuse, recycle, relaim, repurpose.
Most communities offer Earth Day activities for both adults and kids. Check you local newspaper or search for local activities on the internet. Learn more about 2012 Earth Day activities and what you can do to be more Earth friendly at these great sites:
http://www.earthday.org/2012
http://www.idealhomegarden.com/holidays-crafts/earth-day-activities-for-adults/
http://earth911.com/
http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenprograms/u/earth_day_user_path.htm
How do you observe Earth Day and honor this planet we call home throughout the year? Share your activities and experiences by leaving a comment.
Make it a great day!
