This Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day--the anniversary of what many consider to be the birth of the modern environmental movement. In 1970, Gaylord Nelson, U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, announced the need for a "national teach-in on the environment" to be presented to the public through the media. The idea was spread far and wide, and it drew many people to support the cause of changing our gas-guzzling and environmentally unfriendly ways, through protests, education, and action. As time has passed and we have seen the impacts of climate change grow increasingly dire, the need for environmental consciousness and action is greater than ever before. Earth day is a wonderful day to remember the importance of caring for our planet, if we've been busy caught up in the bustle of our own lives. It is a great day to start new habits, like using reusable shopping bags rather than plastic, or changing from incandescent to more energy-efficient CFL lightbulbs. Perhaps it is a day for planting a tree, physically getting your hands down in the dirt, or donating to an organization that will do the planting for you (the nature conservancy will plant a tree for a $1 donation). Or you can attend any number of environmental events to learn and take action (learn about some of these at the official earth day website).
However you choose to celebrate, we invite you to join us in considering (and hopefully acting upon) your individual impact on the planet, and what we can do to cause the least harm and maybe even some good to the world we live in and the people and animals that inhabit it. We all have the power to make a difference through small changes; imagine the impact when they all add up!
