Well, the day has finally arrived. Can you believe that it's actually been more than twenty years since talk about taking care of the environment first started to buzz around the proverbial water coolers of society in parts such as ours?
According to the sources that know, Earth Day is an annual observance which takes place during Spring in the northern hemisphere, and during Autumn in the southern hemisphere. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day on the vernal equinox, which this year happens to have taken place on Sunday morning while most of us might have still been snuggled in bed, but the tradtion of observing Earth Day today dates back to the late 1960s when an American politician by the name of Gaylord Nelson used this occasion to educate his students on the wiser points of the environment and caring for it.
Harkening back to the observance of Earth Hour which took place a few weeks ago, Earth Day is consecrated by environmentalists to all things green. Celebrations marking this day took place as early as this past Saturday when people in this fine city were invited to take part in a gathering meant to heighten our awareness about the wisdom of recycling and the many small ways that each of us can make a difference in the size of carbon footprint we leave behind - so much for thinking that the only footprints we leave behind are impressions on sand.
The influence of recycling has even found its way to the marketing giants of kids' play. It appears that Hasbro, the makers of the famous board game Monopoly are changing some of the squares on the game board. Gone are the references to the Electric Company and to Water Works. These are being replaced with properties known as Wind Farms and Recycling depots.
Wind energy is only one of the greener alternatives which has been explored in years of late, but it's still on the pricey side to initiate so of course there's some resistance. On the whole though, those who celebrate today applaud the foresight of such entrepreneurs as those who are willing to put their money where their mouths are and make wind, solar and other renewable energy sources more accessible to the common folk.
On a day when the prices at the pumps have hit levels unknown in these parts for at least the past couple of years, it might be helpful to take heed of some practical suggestions for ways each of us can do our part to control or cut the amount of energy we use in our homes, and ultimately with reducing the carbon footprint that we leave behind.
1 comment:
Being "green" and following the Lord's word go hand in hand. For example, walking and talking with a friend, instead of communicating electronically will enrich both lives and save a little of the planet at the same time. There is plenty we can do to save our planet. Most of these suggestions lead us to a lifestyle that is more in touch with the world around us. In returning to this simpler way of life, it is often easier to find God and His good works.
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