Brief History of Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

           

In agriculture, we often consider ourselves to be the original environmentalists. We are a people who love the land and all she gives us. Many farmers I know support Earth Day, though there are certainly differing view points regarding what being an ‘environmentalist’ really means. Regardless of your approach to sustainability, have you ever wondered where the concept of Earth Day originated? Today, I asked our new Research Assistant, Indiana University graduate and Washington, Indiana resident, Meredith Deem, to check it out. She also provided a little commentary of her own below.

-Sarah

Earth Day, Taking a Moment to Appreciate the Natural World Since1970

            From rallies to drum circles to mass tree-plantings, we see people across the globe raising awareness for a cause that has the unique characteristic of transcending all human divides-Earth Day. No matter one’s age, race, class, gender, orientation, or religion, environmental concerns affect us all. But what you may not know, or have not realized, is how this special day came to be, the changes it has inspired, and why we continue to honor it 43 years later.

Before Republican Congressman Gaylord Nelson launched the first Earth Day in 1970, there was no Environmental Protection Agency and no organized environmental conscience movement. His efforts buoyed environmental concerns into a national political agenda, ultimately leading in part to significant legislation including the passage of clean air, clean water, and endangered species acts, as well the skyrocketing worldwide recycling and clean energy efforts and even the shift in attitudes we see today toward global climate change. We may not know what environmental concerns we will come to face, but thanks to people like Congressman Nelson and those who continue to celebrate the global tradition of Earth Day, we can hope for a bright and sustainable future for our environment!

If you would like to learn more about the history of Earth Day, check out these links below. Happy Earth Day, everyone! Remember to smell those roses =).

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement

http://www.nelsonearthday.net/earth-day/index.htm

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/

                      

  -Meredith Deem