Happy + Earth + Day

Earth Day. What is Earth Day? It is a day designated to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment.

It began as a suggestion in 1969 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin for college teach-ins on environmental problems, but by the time the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, it had turned into into nationwide community activities and demonstrations that attracted 20 million Americans. Today, Earth day is celebrated in more than 192 countries .

In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Globally coordinated with the Earth Day Network, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year.

The theme for 2011 Earth Day is “A Billion Acts of Green.” This worldwide campaign encourages simple individual acts (as well as larger organizational initiatives) to reduce carbon emissions and support sustainability. i.e. Starbucks is giving away free brewed coffee or tea to people who bring in a reusable tumbler or travel mug.

Our world becomes better when we have hope for the future. This year, let’s allow Earth Day to inspire us to treat our planet respectfully and incorporate sustainable practices each day for a healthier us and healthier earth. Here are a few things we can do:

Get a Reusable Bag. The US wastes an estimates 100 billion plastic bags every year. Remember to bring a reusable when you go shopping..keep some in your car!
Buy a Bottle and Mug. Americans buy nearly 3o billion plastic water bottles every year. The amount of oil used each year to make bottles water could fuel one million US vehicles for an entire year. Plus, we barely recycle them and they are clogging up our landfills. Switch to a BPA-free, reusable water bottle instead. I use this one and love it!
Swap your Lightbulbs. Switch your lightbulbs to an Energy-Star approved light. If every home in the US replaced just one bulb with an Energy Star-approved light, we would prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse has emissions per year. That’s equivalent to 800,000 cars. Plus $600 million saved in annual energy costs.
Observe Meatless Mondays. If every person in the US ate vegetarian for just one day, we would save 100 billion gallons of water and 70 million gallons of gas.
Turn off the TV and go for a family hike or bike. Get outside and enjoy nature and the beauty of our planet with your kids! Our children are our future.

So , to the small children playing in the parks,