Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

Tips to going green was founded with two goals, to raise awareness to the needs of our environment and to save others money who wish to go green. Though I have been environmentally aware since the 60's not everyone has practiced environmentally friendly living that long.

I am here to help you make this commitment easier and to reach out to many people on a daily basis.

My mother has told me since I was 4 that I can't save the world, maybe I can't but I can make a difference. From bringing home stray animals, including a baby skunk I found to wanting my parents to adopt a whole orphanage of children it was clear at an early age that I was different than my family.

Though I was told my whole life there was nothing I could do to change things. Thankfully I never believed that or I would be stuck at a 9-5 job which I would hate without ever attempting to make a difference in my world.

Today I want to share how Earth Day came about with those that celebrate it but do not know how it came to be.

Senator Gaylord Nelson began the push for politicians to show support for the environment as early as 1962. He visited with Attorney General Robert Kennedy and President John Kennedy who were both open to the idea. The concern over the environment needed to be thrown into the political limelight. Kennedy began what was a conservation tour in Sept of 1963. This became the seed that eventually led to Earth Day though the tour did not succeed in 1963 for many reasons. In 1969 with the Vietnam War protesters making a huge impact the grass roots campaign for Earth Day developed. The same energy being spent on protesting the War could be used to voice concerns over the environment.

The media caught hold of this and sent it out from coast to coast. Now the activist that were demonstrating on different subjects such as the Vietnam War, womens rights and civil rights had a cause they could all come together with.

Early in December, Senator Nelson selected a 25-year old named Denis Hayes, the dynamic former President of the Stanford student body, as national coordinator. Hayes, postponing plans to enter Harvard Law School, immediately set to work making plans for the inaugural Earth Day.

A full-page ad that appeared in the New York Times in February 1970 announced that on April 22, 1970, at locations throughout the United States, citizens would demonstrate for a cleaner environment, piquing the curiosity of network broadcasting giants.

On April 22, 1970 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.

To countless participants, Earth Day was a turning point in their lives, which they remember to this day with awe and reverence. "It was something magical and catalytical," remarked Denis Hayes, "touching a huge cross-section of Americans."

On the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990 more than 200 million people in 141 countries participating in celebrations of the planet that supports us.

Today the issue is once again receives much press with such stars as Oprah Winfrey and others doing great shows on Earth Day. How do you celebrate Earth Day? My wish is that you celebrate it year round.

Look for more green living tips daily.

Cheryl C McNeil