Earth Day was celebrated for the first time in Spring 1970. Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day in order to get environmental issues onto the national political agenda. Up to that point there were not a lot of environmental laws protecting the water, air or natural resources of the planet.
When over twenty million people demonstrated across the country, the government took notice. The demonstrations were conducted in major cities and small towns, rural areas and urban sprawl came together with one voice that the environment, the planet, the air we breathe and the water we drink were necessary to protect from pollution and unethical harvesting of resources.
The power of the people came through, the politicians in Washington, D.C. heard loud and clear the populous concern for the planet. On December 2, 1970, President Richard Nixon created the United States Environmental Protection Agency with the specific task of protecting human health and the environment.
At the time there was a lot to do. Because of the lack of scientific knowledge at the time we were poisoning our environment. It was a time when water was polluted by factories spewing chemicals into rivers. The air was plainly visible with pollution in many cities. The bald eagle, America’s national bird and many other avian species were nearly lost due to DDT.
So That Was Then, What About Now?
Still celebrated on the 22nd of April each year, the focus of Earth Day is still to bring environmental issues to the forefront. It has also taken on the additional focus of bringing recognition to individuals and organizations that are working to improve our environment. Across the world there are over 176 countries that have environmental laws. Over 150 countries have enacted policies that grant a constitutional right to a healthy environment.
There is another aspect of Earth Day that is celebrated by many modern people and that is to recognize those individuals who are making a difference in their own way. Scientists that are finding ways to “sink” available carbon to help stop global warming. Entrepreneurs who are using recycled plastics from the ocean to make jewelry to raise funds to be able to remove more plastic. Environmental activists who are taking action to clean beaches and hiking trails.
Yeah, So? What Can I Do:
Believe it or not, little things do make a big difference here. Part of the reason for the selection of the date is because of the proximity to Arbor Day, a day set aside for planting trees. While you may not want to take on heavy physical labor, here are some things you can do to celebrate the day:
– Join in or start a clean up group in your area
– Plant native decorative plants around your home or in your garden
– Prepare a section of your yard for a small garden
– Participate in “The Great Global Clean Up”
– Sure, go ahead. Of course, you can plant trees if you choose to
– Donate to local clean-up efforts
Some Spiritual Actions You Can Do:
– Say a prayer for Mother Earth, many call her essence Gaia
– Burn Hyssop incense to give your prayers for Gaia extra power
– Conduct a healing ceremony for the planet
– Make a space to honor the planet on your deck or in your garden
But the biggest thing you can do to help your planet is to reuse – renew – and recycle. Incorporating that into your routine can do much to stop pollution from happening. Pollution normally has a human as a source.
You can find out more things that can be done to celebrate Earth Day by talking to our knowledgeable experts at Oranum. Happy planting!
