April 22 marks the 38th annual Earth Day. Former U.S senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970, as part of the modern global environmental movement. A campaigner for eco-issues and environmental conservation, Nelson came up with the idea of a global day of action in 1969. His idea caught on quickly and the first Earth Day boasted 20 million participants. Today, Earth Day is an internationally recognised and celebrated event. Countries and organizations can register their Earth Day activities and residents and visitors are invited to get involved. Here is a sample of what’s happening next Tuesday around the globe: in Thailand, 80 trees will be planted in recognition of Earth Day and the King’s 80th birthday. Further north, in Alaska, residents are invited to recycle their PC or electronic equipment free of charge in an E-cycle event in SeaTac organised by the Alaska Air Group. Staff and visitors to the Tsitsikamma National Park in South Africa will be undertaking a voluntary 2-hour Earth Day blackout and be entertained by performances and star talks. In the Brazilian isle of Itaparica, locals will be cleaning up the beach where dolphin and turtles regularly come to feed.
Closer to home, Australia’s World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is getting together a team of local residents, hotels and their guests to plant up 2000 native rainforest plants in an attempt to restore some green and promote new growth in the 135 million year old rainforest. In Canberra, Australia’s 2020 summit is being hosted by Kevin Rudd at Parliament House to tackle Australia’s long-term green strategy. The summit will bring together up to 1000 Australians in talks to discuss everything from the Australian economy to future directions for rural networks and communities as well as sustainability, climate change and water. The summit hopes to create a plan that will get Australia on the right track up to the year 2020 and beyond.
Gaylord Nelson would be delighted that his plan for a world earth movement is promoting activity and action across the globe. What will you do on Earth Day?
I pledge to pick up any rubbish which I may cross my path. I’ll also try and welcome whatever weather occurs on that day and not speak of it with any negative adjectives. If surfing, I will also try to realise that the waves are neither good or bad, they just are. I will also try and encourage someone to purchase 100% green energy for their home or business. I will also introduce someone new to Ted.com. And ride to work.