Get Ready for Earth Day 2008
It’s coming – Earth Day 2008 will be observed on Tuesday April 22 (in the Northern Hemisphere).
Even though today is only April 19th I’m posting this data today due to the fact that many localities and organizations hold their Earth Day celebrations on the Saturday closest to Earth Day – so you’re area may be celebrating today!
The first Earth Day (as we know it) was held in 1970, and was founded by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator. There is another Earth Day observance, that is organized by the United Nations, and occurs in March at the spring equinox. Earth Day was founded to provide citizens with a grassroots way to speak out against pollution, abuse of our ecology, and other environmental issues.
The Earth Day Network organizes and coordinates events and current environmentalism movements in recognition of Earth Day.
For more on Earth Day, it’s history, it’s goals, and current Earth Day celebrations, check out the following websites:
- The EPA has an Earth Day specific site, here. This site is much better, and more informative than the general US government Earth Day site.
- If you live near NY, LA, Chicago, Miami, Denver, DC, Dallas or San Francisco, the Earth Day network and Green Apple festival are putting on simultaneous music concerts in those locations at landmark parks. Check out www.greenapplemusicfestival.com.
- My favorite is the Nature Conservancy’s Earth Day page! Click on “Green Tips” and check out their Everyday Environmentalist suggestions. They also have a Carbon footprint calculator, click on Offset Your CO2 to use this fun (or scary?) tool. My family runs well below average for our neck of the woods, thanks in large part to having one car and rarely, if ever, flying. The only time either my husband or I flew in the past 3 years was for a funeral. We try to take vacations by driving, and exploring our local areas. The Nature Conservancy is an excellent site to visit anytime, not just for Earth Day!
- Another good site to visit anytime you’re feeling the need to shore up your “green” mindset is Keep America Beautiful, their goals are to beautify communities, prevent litter, and reduce waste. Excellent goals, how can you not support that??
Check your city and county websites for information on Earth Day celebrations in your area – and if you find that your local government isn’t on the green bandwagon YET – then that’s a good sign that you need to takes action and get involved as quickly as possible!! It starts with one person, really it does. 
Susan
ModernFamily
