Friday, April 26, 2013

April 22...Earth Day


April 22 is Earth Day. What is your favorite place on Earth?

Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970.  It was founded by Gaylord Nelson, a US Senator from Wisconsin.  The first Earth Day was a day of rallies and demonstrations calling for a healthy, sustainable environment.  It also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Act.

Earth Day 2000 focused on global warming and clean energy.  5,000 environmental groups from 184 countries turned out for the campaign.  Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and was the first time that the internet was used to build awareness.

Today, over one billion people in 192 countries are participating in Earth Day events.  In Columbus, Ohio, the group Green Columbus is utilizing volunteers to pull invasive plants, clean up neighborhoods, and plant trees.

In Santa Barbara, California, thousands of people attend the local Earth Day Festival, where they have live music, speakers, and a Green Car Show.

In Seoul, South Korea, they are organizing an “Eco-style” Earth Day Flash Mob and hosting an Earth Day Walkathon and Earth Day exhibition in collaboration with the Earth Day Network.

What will you do to celebrate Earth Day?

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