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Earth Day Around the World
From WikiVerde
More and more people around the world are concerned about the state of our planet. Earth Day is a day that focuses on ecological awareness and seeks to celebrate Earth. On Earth Day, friends of the Earth are trying their best to remember and cherish the world we live in.
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The Origins of Earth Day
How did Earth Day start? U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson introduced the concept with the original intention of teaching people about environmental concerns and making them aware of the issues. Since 1970, the worldwide observance called Earth Day has been kept by several nations around the world.
In America, that first Earth Day was marked by a commitment to a country-wide environmental protest. Nelson was the one who suggested this environmental “teach-in,” and twenty million people participated in it, realizing the importance of a clean environment, conservation of resources and sustainable development.
The 2000 Earth Day saw the organizer of the original Earth Day, Hayes, leading an effort that centered around global warming and clean energy. Events included a talking drum chain in Africa and a demonstration in Washington D.C. There were also activities in Manila, Madrid, Kiev, Caracas, London, New York and others places.
Earth Day Last Year
Last year, events included a bicycle ride to support eco-transport in Moscow, a commitment to eschew a ‘throw-away’ attitude in Beijing, a demonstration in Kabul, a village clean-up in Iran, an underwater reef clean-up in Egypt, and a clean-up of the Thames in London.
The Impact of Earth Day
Those who wonder whether protest and environmental measures undertaken by individuals will ever succeed or even make the slightest difference should be heartened by Gaylord Nelson’s assessment of Earth Day on the tenth anniversary of the first Earth Day. Environmental legislation has taken a big step forward, and the implementation of ecologically policies has certainly made a difference. Environmental agencies and implementation bodies have also sprung up, and awareness and a sense of responsibility for the environment have greatly increased. Environmental education is spreading, and many are making sincere efforts to give our children a clean, healthy world.
Earth Day 2008
Earth Day Network is coordinating a whole series of events this year, such as an enormous assemblage of people at free events across the country. Another event “Earth Day on the Hill” is an initiative that seeks to deal with global warming and issues like emission and climate change by lobbying the Congress on these matters. Community leaders from all over the country will participate. There will be a lot of events on university campuses.
One of the major plans for Earth Day 2008 is the third Green Apple Festival, conducted in association with the Earth Day Network. (The Earth Day Network was founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day.) This will be a merry weekend of free music, with the more serious theme of ecological awareness. Eight festivals will be held across America, in New York, Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Denver.
The second set of “Hands On Earth Day” events will take place in several American cities this year, seeking to make all the schools in the country part of a greening project run by the Hands On Network.
There are hundreds of other events planned this year, in cities across the U.S. including Hampton, Utica, Machias, Princeton, Pacific Palisades, Oak Ridge, Point Reyes, Bainbridge Island, Chappaqua, Norwell, Santa Cruz, Culver City, Solvang, Fishers, Milwaukee, Knoxville, Pasadena, Pleasant Grove, Billings, Sacramento, Haines City, Juno Beach, Sewell and many more. Scarborough will hold their Annual Clean Up of the Scarborugh Marsh and Beaches, while San Bernadino conducts an Earth Day Fair and Expo. The Rebecca Kelly Ballet Earth Day Performance will be held in New York, while Los Angeles celebrates a car-free day.
In Britain, the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day Event will be held at Burnham Deepdale.
The Philippines will be celebrating Earth Day for the second year in Dumaquete City, while Canada will conduct the Earth Day Calgary Extravaganza, the 22 Minute Makeover and WindENG 2008 in Guelph.
In Japan, Earthday Tokyo, which promotes a green economy, will be conducting several events on April 19 and 20, 2008. Earth Day Energy Action, two-day programme, will use only green energy - like solar, bio-diesel and hydrogen energy. Earth Day Food Action will offer organic, locally produced, non-GM food of various kinds, with an emphasis on minimal use of plates, etc. Earth Day Agri Action will be an organic farmers market. The Earth Day Garden will offer eco-friendly products and handicrafts. They’ll have dozens of other green offerings, too.
In Caracas, Venezuela, Vitalis will organize several green events, while the Catalunya Earth Fair in Barcelona will have the dangers of genetically modified food as its theme.
Buenos Aires is celebrating Earth Day with an entertaining awareness programme that focuses on transportation, water, energy and garbage. This event will be organized by Butterfly Comunicación Ambiental. In Bangkok, a hundred thousand monks will assemble on the occasion of Earth Day.
What Do You Plan To Do?
If you want to participate in the global celebration of Earth Day and are wondering what to do – here are some great ideas. The EcoCoach website offers a heap of good ways to get a green movement going at your workplace. You could make a commitment to energy conservation, or taking a bus to work at least once a week. Consider low energy vehicles, too. Save energy at home by installing smart power strips, which cuts off power when electrical items aren’t being used. Discover solar energy or learn about wind power.
Earth Day-after-Tomorrow!
It does matter what we do this year, next year, and in the years to come. It is important that we all do our best to increase awareness of ecological issues, and, each in our own small way, do our bit to save our most precious resource – the earth we live on. Let’s wish the world a Happy Earth Day 2008!
