Happy Earth Day!!!!!!

Happy Earth Day y'all!

A little earthday background for you:

ORIGIN OF EARTH DAY

Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970. The idea for a nationwide demonstration in support of Earth’s environment came from Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Nelson is considered the founder of Earth Day. On the first Earth Day in 1970 as many as 20 million Americans in schools and communities across the country participated in rallies and demonstrations on behalf of Earth. In New York City, Mayor John Lindsay closed Fifth Avenue to automobile traffic, and thousands of people attended a fair on ecology in Central Park.

ACTIVITIES ON EARTH DAY

By 1990 Earth Day had become an international event, with more than 200 million people in 141 countries participating. Environmental groups use Earth Day as an occasion to draw attention to current local and global environmental problems and to discuss commonsense solutions. At fairs, festivals, and talks, people learn about air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution; the destruction of habitats (see Ecosystem); the devastation of hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species (see Endangered Species); the depletion of nonrenewable resources (see Conservation); and global warming. They explore exhibits on such topics as conserving energy, recycling, renewing natural habitats, leading healthier lives, making their backyards friendly to wildlife, and protecting endangered species. Volunteers gather to pick up litter; clean up streams, reservoirs, and other water supplies; restore parks; plant trees; and participate in other environmental activities.

An organization called Earth Day Network coordinates Earth Day activities around the world. The organization estimated that 1,000 groups and 500 million people were participating in Earth Day observances by the early 2000s.

There are so many easy things you can do to cut down on waste at home and around the office. Easy things too... turn off computers at the end of the day, turn off lights when you leave the room, switch to long lasting compact fluorescent light bulbs (they will save you money in the long run too!), bring some plants into your office, if you have to print then do so on both sides of the paper (the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper a year!), keep a spoon fork bowl and mug at work so you don't have to use disposables, now that its warm hang some of your clothes to dry, carpool or take public transportation to work, etc etc ... all pretty easy, and every little bit helps.

Today is a great day to reflect on the things that we should really remember year round... that what we do on a daily basis effect the earth and our environment today and everyday forward. What we do today will change, for better or for worse, what is left for our children and grandchildren to inherit. Lets leave things better then we got them!! Let's leave a beautiful, healthy planet for our grandkids. :-)

And of course, I can't forget to mention...
all those in PA, please don't forget to rock your vote today! I definitely will be as soon as I get home tonight!

Have a great day!