By Jaime Farrar
April 22, 2011 marks the celebration of the 41st Earth Day.
The idea of an “Earth Day” was sparked by founder Gaylord Nelson, a US Senator from Wisconsin, in recognition of a quickly growing need to improve vastly depleting air and water quality. The 1970 teach in, in which around 20 million Americans participated, helped implement and pass the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.
Since 1970, Earth Day has help raise awareness about environmental issues, and through time, the issues have molded to reflect current environmental perils, the base issue always revolving around health and environmental protection. Some of today’s issues you can expect to see addressed at this year’s Earth Day events are:
- Energy- shifting our dependence toward cleaner, safer energy.
- Transportation- expanding research and availability of cleaner transportation.
- Waste- The 3 “Rs”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
- Water Shortages & pollution
- Pesticides, chemicals, toxins and air quality
Join us on May 1st at Idlewild Park to learn more about these and other Environmental and Health related issues. Community based businesses, organizations, students, teachers, advocates and more will be present to answer questions, discuss solutions and ideas, and spread the word about steps to take in the direction to preserve our planet and health.
What will you do to make a difference this year? Earth Day Network is looking for a “Billion Acts of Green”. Click here to pledge an act.
Happy Earth Day!
