EARTH DAY 2011

History of Earth Day

"It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. They could not be taken to court to stop it.

How was that possible? Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment.

In Spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to “force this issue onto the national agenda.” 20 million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities, and it worked!

In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."  

(Information Cited is from: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/history.htm)

RECYCLE, REDUCE & REUSE...

"Earth is a very important part of our lives. Most of us wouldn't think of polluting our bodies, yet we are polluting our planet by misuse and overuse of our natural resources. As responsible individuals we should at least do what we can to help reduce, reuse, and recycle what we can as a first step.



We are not completely to blame; we inherited a polluted Earth, but we can do something to ensure that our children can grow up in a cleaner, safer planet than ourselves.

Don't ever let someone get away with saying "what can I do, I am only one person". Each and every person can do a lot, and you can influence others to do something as well."

(Information Cited is from: http://www.ehow.com/how_4515525_save-earth-tips-saving-planet.html)

Tips to save our EARTH

Buy as little as possible and avoid items that come in lots of packaging.

Support local growers and producers of food and products - these don't have to travel as far and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Take your drink container with you, and don't use any disposable plates or cutlery. Recycle all the things you do use for the day or find other uses for things that you no longer use.

Carry a cloth bag for carrying things in and recycle your plastic bags.

Add or reduce a layer of clothing rather then raiser or lower your heat and A/C.

Turn off lights when you are not in the room.

Unplug appliances when not in use as they can be an "energy sink".

Save Water... One way: Install a low flow shower head.

Plant a tree or other plants.  Grow your own garden of food.

Use natural cleaning products .

Save Paper.... One way: Reduce paper through electronic statements and bill paying options.