What are you doing on EarthDay this year?
Since 1970, the world's been celebrating the Earth's day on April 22 and like new year resolutions, we make lots of promises every year to do something to help the environment.
But what about each one of us? Most of us tell ourselves, what can I do to change the mess our Earth is in, for the better? I'm just a school kid or a pen-pusher. It's too huge an issue for me to do anything about. So, let me just curl up on that favourite armchair and get back to my packet of butter popcorn while I flick the remote.
But that's the last thought that ought to bother us on Earth Day. After all, this is one day that began with one individual,
John McConnell, who wanted to do something good for our planet. His city, San Francisco, was the first to wish the Earth a happy birthday on the vernal equinox in 1970, a day of equality around the world, when night and day are equal and perfectly balanced. The idea carried so much of punch that the next year, an entire week was given to the cause, and so, we have an Earth Week in the third week of April.
Of course, the day is all about reminding ourselves and others that we've done a lot of damage to the natural wonders of the world and that we are responsible for correcting the wrongs and improving whatever we can. But it is also the day to remind us of our rights "to the use of this global home."
{{/usCountry}}Of course, the day is all about reminding ourselves and others that we've done a lot of damage to the natural wonders of the world and that we are responsible for correcting the wrongs and improving whatever we can. But it is also the day to remind us of our rights "to the use of this global home."
{{/usCountry}}Each of us is a trustee of this earth. And like the man who began Earth Day, now celebrated across the world, each of us can do something to lessen the ignorance and greed that lead to waste and want.
If we believe in the mantra, reduce, reuse and recycle, Earth Day is the time to remind ourselves of it more than ever! Let's see what students can do: we can buy less of stuff that we don't really, truly need. For example, that pencil that I'm about to throw away because it is half-used, could be made to run many more days if I could cap it with a pencil holder! The tap that I leave running as I brush my teeth every morning needs to be turned off. Just one glass of water would help me save litres from going literally down the drain! And yes, I need to tie up with Rohit and Jason about that pool car to school. Such a waste and such a huge bore to travel alone!
In USA, where it originated, this is the official beginning of Spring, and so, quite the day for "planting trees and grass and flowers," but it is also the day to clean "streams and wooded glens."
But let's not leave it at just another day to make resolutions and feel pious about. I'm sure we can do something to reduce the waste and the thoughtless destruction of the earth's resources. Look through the list and let us know if you would like to follow any of them, or better still, tell us your idea for students to make this world a better place to live in.
We live on a great planet.
And
it's the only home we have.
Next: What I will do on Earth Day