Celebrate Natural Beauty on Earth Day 2015
Earth Day falls on April 22, and this year marks its 45th anniversary as an international event. Earth Day is the largest civic event in the world, celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a billion people participate in Earth Day campaigns every year!
People from All Over the World Participate in Earth Day
Ever wondered how Earth Day started? The observance of the day arose from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues. The April 22 Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution. This has allowed more education on climate change to be made and what people can do about it, including walking/cycling instead of using the car when it is not necessary, turning off lights when not in a room and switching to a renewable energy plan offered by companies like these dallas electricity providers. Some choose to use the March spring equinox to mark the day, but most commonly you’ll find it celebrated on the 22nd. Either way, the most common practice of celebration is to plant new trees for Earth Day.
Planting Trees is a Great Way For Families to Mark the Earth Day Occasion
President Obama and his team are marking Wednesday’s Earth Day with a week-long promotion of their climate change policies.
“This Earth Day, we’re far beyond a debate about climate change’s existence,” senior adviser Brian Deese wrote in a note to White House e-mail recipients. “We’re focused on mitigating its very real effects here at home, preparing our communities where its impacts are already being felt, and leading an international effort for action.”
The Everglades, One of Several National Parks Expected to Receive Conservation Efforts
Deese said that, on Monday, Obama will issue a proclamation “highlighting the impact of national parks on our local economies.” Tuesday brings an announcement on “four landscapes throughout the country where we’ll focus our conservation and climate resilience efforts,” he said.
“Later in the week, we’ll announce how we’re investing millions in new funding to protect those parks, as well as new actions the Department of Agriculture will take in partnership with farmers, ranchers and forest land owners to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions,” Deese wrote.
The Earth Day Rally & Concert in Washington, DC
An Earth Day rally and concert Saturday drew thousands to the National Mall to see performances by Mary J. Blige, Usher, No Doubt and others, who are seeking to highlight and bring more attention to global poverty and climate change. Special attention may also be placed on sites like Cool Effect (learn more here) who are helping to provide 40,000 rural homes in India with clean, renewable energy, thus having a positive effect on climate change and the environment around us too. This is why events like this can be so successful when it comes to raising more attention. The rally was a cooperative effort with Global Citizen, and happened over the weekend previous to the holiday for maximum exposure and awareness raising before the actual celebration on April 22nd.
Usher, who took the stage using a gold-colored crutch, performed with a cast on his left leg. He underwent surgery on his foot earlier this month.
“D.C., one foot don’t stop no show,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world. This is all about love, hope, togetherness, peace.”
Mule Deer in its Natural Washington Habitat
A bit more locally, the Ballard Earth Day Street Party on Friday, April 24th is a sustainable street party benefitting Sustainable Ballard and celebrating Sunergy Systems’ 10th year anniversary and 1,000th installed solar energy system. As a way to thank Sustainable Ballard for eleven years of great service, the Ballard Earth Day was born. Sustainably-minded neighbors banding together to throw a street fair and celebrate Earth Day. Hosted by Sunergy Systems, Giddy Up Burgers & Greens, and New Roots Organics, all proceeds from this sustainable street party will be donated to Sustainable Ballard.
Since 2003, Sustainable Ballard has been serving the neighborhood of Ballard. As a Founding member of SCALLOPS (Sustainable Communities All Over Puget Sound) and the very first sustainability group in Seattle, they have gained a local, national and international recognition for their grassroots approach to community action addressing climate change. Its primary goal was to help prepare themselves and their community to sustain and thrive in today’s modern climate.
Cherry Blossom Trees at Washington Park Arboretum
On Earth Day, enjoy the refreshing blend of fresh air, contact with the soil, and companionship with nature! Walk through the woods in search of emerging wildflowers and green moss. Go outside, no matter what the weather! Get out on the water if you can! Plant a tree! The world’s natural beauty that you’re used to may not be around forever, and especially not if you don’t take part in Earth Day’s many celebrations, so whatever you do- do something green!
Happy Earth Day, Boaters of the Pacific Northwest!
