Earth Day Activities

Conceived in the mind of Senator Gaylord Nelson in November 1962, Earth Day was born in April 1970, after a very long labor.

It all started when Senator Nelson realized that politicians were about as far from being concerned over the environment as they were far from the sun.

He decided to enlist the help of students all across American campuses. Nelson figured that if he could get students as concerned about the environment as they were about the Vietnam War, then, politicians would be forced to look at the environmental issues as well.

Nelson's efforts paid off and what began as an awareness call turned into a full blown movement embraced by millions not only at the individual level but also at the organizational one.

Each year, April 22 marks the anniversary of the birth of Earth Day. Each year, millions across the globe participate in organized activities aimed at educating the masses on environmental issues and on ways to help planet Earth.

Let's find ways to embrace the movement by using the one word that has been and is the focus of Earth Day: Pollution.

Follow the simple suggestions and help give high pollution a kick off our Planet Earth.

• P - Plastic bags. If you crochet or weave, or you know someone who can crochet or weave, make your own sturdy carrier, to take to the store from this moment forward, or your own hammock.

• O - Over the hills and through the woods. Go for walks and familiarize yourself with the flora and fauna of your area. Then, find ways to help protect it.

• L - Litter searching. With family and/or friends, go on a litter scavenger hunt. Choose a location, divide in teams of two and pick up litter found. The team with the most litter wins a prize.

• L - Learn how to make compost out of kitchen and yard scraps. Use it to fertilize your lawn, flower, and vegetable garden, instead of purchasing chemical laden soil.

• U - Use non-disposable plates, silverware, and glassware daily for your family. When hosting parties, let your guests bring their own plate settings instead of cluttering the landfills with disposable items.

• T - Take time to walk or bike. Whenever possible, take time to walk or bike from point A to point B instead of taking the car. It will keep you physically fit, and it will cut down on costs and pollution. Make it a family affair and have fun.

• I - Invite friends over for an Earth Day celebration. Play games to learn about the environmental issues and possible solutions. Possible games: charades, hangman, twenty questions.

• O - Organize a neighborhood greenest family contest. Choose categories such as transportation, recycling, energy saving and let the greenest family in each category win. Each week there will be a "check in" session where each participant unit will log in things done to go green in its category.

• N - Never say "Oh well!" when you did not choose a green solution. Challenge each family member to follow a weekly earth friendly challenge and impose a fee when they are caught in an unfriendly act. Monthly, donate the fee to your local environmental group.

It took decades to reach the environmental problems we are facing. It will take at least the same number of decades, if not more, to undo part of the damage or, at the very least, not make it worse.

Every little step taken by each individual adds up with time. Every little effort helps the next. Together these steps and efforts will make a difference.