Happy Earth Day

Earth Day 2012 website

In 1970, the very first Earth Day occurred. Senator Gaylord Nelson  from Wisconsin, horrified by a terrible oil spill, had the idea of galvanizing students and communities to recognize the fact that we needed to do something about the pollution of our air and water. Inspired by the anti-war movement, he figured that Earth Day could become a similar teachable moment.

If you want to get a message out, who better to choose for that task than students? They're energetic, passionate, and idealistic...and always ready to protest any injustice. Images of the first Earth Day filled newscasts and print media.

I was in high school for the first Earth Day (yes, I'm that old) and vividly remember making posters and participating in a peaceable "sit-in" outside the school building. At the end of the day we felt good about what we'd done, but never dreamed that Earth Day would grow and spread and become the true movement it has become.

The word did get out. People really do care about the treatment of our precious planet. That meant politicians began to see environmental issues as something they needed to address (or else), and is now a platform for study, debate, and legislation.

Isn't it amazing what a simple idea that speaks to the heart can accomplish?
 
Here's a request for your inner student. On this Earth Day, give the world a message. Choose one new habit to reduce, reuse, or recycle. Power to the people...
 
AND (I dare not forget to say) power to the pets. Hey, it's their world, too!