Happy Earth Day.
On April 22, 41 years ago, the first Earth Day celebration was observed as a day of environmental activism, spearheaded by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin.
While it is true that that the Earth still needs our help and love, let's remember the great strides which have been made since the first Earth Day. Particulates in our air are greatly reduced. Our rivers are cleaner. Municipalities recycle. One group which has been very influential in bringing about positive change is Clean Water Action, founded in 1972 by activist David Zwick with funding from two fishing tackle companies. Clean Water Action drafted many of the most important parts of the original 1972 Clean Water Act.
Clean Water Action now has offices around the country. While it still works to protect America’s waters, its issues now include:
- Global Warming and a New Energy Economy
- Healthy, Safer Families and Communities
and
- Making Democracy Work
At Wednesday night’s New Haven Green Drinks, Roger Smith from the Connecticut office gave a terrific rundown of all the current programs and initiatives in our state. Go to “Explore Your Community” at the Clean Water site to find the campaigns in your area.
How will you observe this Earth Day? Consider making a small action step. Check out “A Billion Acts of Green” or my last year’s post for some simple suggestions.
Or have an Earth Day picnic. [Be sure to bundle up.]
There are so many places to go and things to do that I’m thinking of giving Freebie Friday a break so I have time to write about new friends and outdoor adventures.
I’m not going to make you go cold turkey though. In the spirit of Earth Day, here is a link to a slide show at the Nature Conservancy.
Now, get outside!
Happy Earth Day. Love your mother and your mother Earth.
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