A beautiful day in the neighborhood
Time to Care
Even though Earth Day has come and gone, if we’re really concerned about our environment, then Earth Day should be everyday.
Since the first Earth Day in 1970, one must wonder if our efforts have even made a dent in the havoc pollution and waste have caused. Perhaps, being the optimist, I think it has.
Through education and trial and error, my family has become more aware of ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. We are especially lucky to have pick-up available in our neighborhood where paper, glass and plastic are separated for us, which makes it so much easier. Only having to take one recycling can to the road each week, we have no excuse.
While it’s true Earth Day should be everyday, it’s kind of nice to have a special day set aside to celebrate, working together in communities around the world for a common cause. Wondering what others did this year to celebrate, I asked the question on my Facebook page. Here are some of those responses:
Stasea: We planted a garden. Our slogan was, “Don’t trash our future, eat healthy.”
Martha: I recycled.
Sue: I went out in the back yard and split wood with my husband, Bobby.
Tara: My preschool class planted seeds in paper cups.
Lexi: Hugged a tree.
Cindy: Observed a mother bird building a nest in a bush outside our window. Hope to see baby birds soon.
Marsha: I went to an elementary school and spoke on everything from recycling to water pollution to air contamination. The children had great questions. (Marsha is an environmental manager for her state).
William: I woke up and went about my business as usual, Earth Day isn’t one day a year. My grandma and grandpa, mom and dad lived earth day, every day, they didn’t need a name for it. When they died, I found out first-hand those who lived the great depression had a totally different mindset. They recycled before there was a name for it. They kept “stuff” just in case …
Thanks to all who responded on Facebook.
If interested in learning more about the history of Earth Day from the early 60’s when Senator Nelson approached President Kennedy with concern about the planet, until now, check out the following How Stuff Works link. The title of the article is How Did Earth Day Start. Additional links for more info can be found at the bottom of that page.
One of my favorite go-to-sites for ideas is Pinterest. While scrolling through looking for ideas of things to do with children, recently, I found the blog, Make and Takes. Written by Marie LeBron, it is chalked full of activities. The blog I especially liked for Earth Day was 22 Ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. You can find it by clicking here.
How did you celebrate Earth Day? Leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
