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

Green Living Tips

The hard facts are we are all looking for ways to save money. I have some green living tips and the amount of money you can save while living green on a budget. Though we are in the midst of a recession what better time for going green and putting some extra money in your pocket.

Did you know if you only take 24 pictures a month, and most of us take many more than that, you can save $144 a year by using a real camera opposed to a disposable camera.

Use rechargable batteries instead of disposables. Save the billions of ready to use batteries from the landfills yearly. You will save a ton of money and remember that cell phone batteries, laptop batteries and others can be recycled.

Instead of using paper towels I use microfiber cloths for cleaning up. You can wash them and use them over and over. I purchased 4 a couple of years ago. I use them for cleaning up in the kitchen, dusting, cleaning the bathroom and washing my dishes, I don’t use a dishwasher, if you do set it on air dry or leave the door open for your dishes to dry as to conserve electricity. That was two tips in one

One of my favorite ways to save is carrying my own cup with me when traveling or for those that commute daily. You can fill it in any store with coffee or from your pot at home. I don’t know about saving money on this one, if you fill it from home you will, but it is a great help for the environment.

Buying products in packages that you know can be recycled. These include packages made of foil, steel, glass and #1 and #2 plastics.

You can save over $2000 a year in the grocery stores by purchasing large packages over individual packaging. It may be more convenient with the indiviual containers but I would rather put the $2k in my pocket and less in the landfill. .10 for every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging, the individual packages require more packaging.

We have to buy toilet paper, check to make sure the one you buy is made of recycled materials.

Use boxes that have already been used for moving, there are stores online and in your community that sell green boxes or check with your local restaurants on the days of their deliveries to pick up their boxes. Keep the cardboard out of the landfills and save trees.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and I will see you next time.