Celebrate Boca Raton Earth Week- April 16 - 22, 2010
April 21st, 2010
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and this year… it’s the 40th Anniversary! Happy Anniversary Mother Earth! What are you going to be doing this glorious Earth Day? Send me some pictures of your favorite nature places and I’ll post a collage of pictures.
It is considered to be the first official day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first official day of Fall in the Southern Hemisphere (when it is celebrated there). Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment and is celebrated by more than 175 countries around the world.
Founded by former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, the first Earth Day took place in 1970 and was originally intended as a national environmental teach-in “to shake up the political establishment and force the issue onto the national agenda.” “Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. 20 million people and thousands of schools and local communities participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.” - Gaylord Nelson Founder, Earth Day
Earth Week, April 16-22, originated in Philadelphia in1970. It was created by a committee of students (mostly from the University of Pennsylvania), professionals, leaders of grass roots organizations and businessmen concerned about the environment and inspired by Senator Gaylord Nelson’s call for a national environmental teach-in.
Forty years later, this April, 2010 the Earth Week Committee decided to make rare photos, video and other previously unpublished information about the history of Earth Week 1970 available to the public at Earthweek.us, which has more history and photos like the one below.
The entire cast of the hit Broadway musical “Hair” performed songs such as “The Age of Aquarius” and “Sulfur Dioxide” on April 21st, 1970, the eve of Earth Day, for an audience of about 20,000 in the large public mall across from Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The native American Indian rock band, “Red Bone” also performed both days.
Many cities now extend the observance of Earth Day events to an entire week in which April 22nd falls. These events are designed to encourage environmentally-aware behaviors, such as recycling, using energy efficiently, and reducing or reusing disposable items. Did you know… that recycling just one 3 oz aluminum can saves enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for more than 2 hours. Recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy used to make aluminum cans from virgin materials. Every little bit helps.
Today, the celebration of Earth Day is primarily aimed at raising awareness and encouraging everyday citizens around the world to do their part in preserving the Earth, from recycling to reducing one’s carbon footprint. Celebrations of Earth Day are as diverse as the cultures themselves. The real beauty of this holiday, however, is the sheer range of events that take place in every country.
Here are some links to various sites with more information and events around the country and around the world.
- Wikipedia - Description of the Earth Day and Earth Week history.
- Whole Foods Blog - Celebrating Earth Month - various promotions throughout April on organic foods and eco-friendly living. Saturday, April 24th, from 12 - 4pm, there will be a Local Tasting Fair with food from local vendors, live folk music and various classes in the Lifestyle Center. Whole Foods offers year round information and events on living earth friendly.
- 4th Generation Organic Market, Boca Raton – April 22nd, all day event that begins at 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Receive discounts, fun activities and games for kids, smoothies and a preparation class with Chef Collin Cook! And remember… make everyday Earth Day!
- National Environmental Earth Week – National Environmental Education Week (EE Week), the nation’s largest environmental education event held each year the week before Earth Day, inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students.
- EarthDay - More info on Earth Day 2010 – with a listing of events around the world.
- EarthDay Network - Global Earth Day network - has info and photos from around the world
- Earth 911 News and Events – many articles and resource to look up recycling locations
- Earth Day Barry University - Farmers Market, bazaar, gardening, and prices
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