It's been 50 years since the first Earth Day. We have accomplished a lot from cleaning up waterways, to tracking emissions to protecting endangered species.
The EPA was created and people became aware that the Earth and her Eco-system are an important part of our survival.
It's been 50 years, and the issues continue to remain. Now we recycle and push clean energy initiatives and climate control. In 1970 we planted trees and picked up trash. Unlike other "holidays" we are encouraged to "Do" something to make the earth a better place.
What can you DO to celebrate Earth Day? Look around at what needs to be done in your neighborhood. Plant some seeds, get involved, create a community garden, or your own personal garden. Recycle your electronics, stop buying plastic things, reach out to a corporation that you know can do better, use your voice. Vow to stop using Round-Up and herbicides in your lawns which kill bees and run off to pollute our water, jeopardizing our health and the Eco-system.
There are so many little things we can do to make a difference. As we can all see, because of the Corona Virus stay at home orders, our planet is healing. Small things like less driving have a huge impact on environmental protection.
In celebration, I reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and WE Energies to inquire about support to build a Monarch and Pollinator habitat.
I also called a local restaurant who has been dumping garbage in the creek to clean it up.
If you need a reason to "celebrate" check out 12 reasons to "do" something.
What will you do today?
Who Started Earth Day?
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, was determined to convince the federal government that the planet was at risk. In 1969, Nelson, considered one of the leaders of the modern environmental movement, developed the idea for Earth Day after being inspired by the anti-Vietnam War “teach-ins” that were taking place on college campuses around the United States. According to Nelson, he envisioned a large-scale, grassroots environmental demonstration “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.”
Please share what you will do today for our Earth.
Sheri Kaz is a digital storyteller and an Emmy award winning Writer, Producer and Director with a love of gardening. Visit Kaz Creative for more information.