22nd APRIL 1970

One of my closest friends is studying to be an environmental scientist. When she told me that, my initial reaction was something along the lines of, "oh so you're going to be a greenie." She then pointed out that being an environmental scientist did not automatically demand of her to be a 'greenie' and that wasn't I actually more environmentally conscious than she was? She was of course right on both accounts. I'm very environmentally aware, always trying to do my bit to help ensure the future of our planet is a healthy one.

On this day in 1970, Earth Day was observed for the first time in the USA. Organised by Denis Hayes, 20 million people across America took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to propose a healthy, sustainable environment. At the time, this was a very big deal because it was when cars were getting bigger and people weren't so much worried about the "miles per gallon" or the "kilometres per gallon", but rather the size, type and up-to-date-ness of their car. Environmental issues were discussed very little, if at all by most people. However, this event (and a statement made by U.S Senator Gaylord Nelson, that there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment in the spring of 1970) started generating interest in environmental issues. Over the next few years, a realisation of sorts dawned on the average man; that what they did affected the Earth and its inhabitants.

Earth Day is still a yearly event. However, I don't know many people who still attend or celebrate it. Have we as society, come full circle as it were? Back to a time when all that mattered was whether or not what you had was up-to-date? Every year I participate in Earth Hour but it would seem that even I, a self proclaimed greenie, cannot find the time to spend more than an hour recognising the threat that humanity presents towards the stability of our planet's health.


Happy Earth Day humanity.




Image available: www.forbes.com/sites/henrymiller/2012/04/18/the-dirt-on-earth-day/