Earthday

Both observations of Earth Day were founded in 1970. The April 22nd Earth Day attracted 20 million Americans across college campuses and other local events. This inaugural Earthday helped garner support for environmental issues, which later were passed in Congress. Do you know about the Clean Air Act? It was passed after Earth Day 1970. Other environmental issues, like the wet lands and the ocean, were brought to the forefront with the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

A tremendous movement started in 1990, with Earth Day events spreading across the globe. From the 20 million Americans participating in 1970, the movement swelled to 200 million people in 141 countries. Earth Day events brought worldwide environmental concerns to a global audience. It also turned environmental issues into a more mainstream topic. Global recycling made its impact, as more people recognized the need for reusing products rather than the use-and-throw methods used before.

In 2000, Earth Day focused on global warming and the need for clean energy. Using its international grassroots background, the modern Earth day event used the internet to unite 5,000 environmental groups across 184 countries. Events across the world included a drum circle in African villages to crowds gathering at The National Mall, in Washington, D.C. The Earthday events took place simultaneously across the world, in combined awareness and observation of worldwide environmental causes.

Approximately 175 countries currently participate in Earth Day every year. Events range from tree planting, cleaning up trash from beaches, drum circles, concerts, and can be done as individual efforts or through larger group associations.

In 2009, a new event, called Earth Day Birthday, will unite local Earthday events through one site. Social Traffic, Inc. is promoting Earth Day Birthday, as a global party to celebrate Earth and all that she provides.

Would you like to do more for Earth Day? What about planning a project or activity? Here are some ideas that you could do alone or with a friend. (Grab a friend - it's always fun with someone by your side).

I first started researching Earth day, recycling, events, and activities for my new group, Social Traffic. Our first launch? A global celebration of Mother Earth, where we unite local events with Earth Day supporters. It sounded fun, but it also called something deep in my heart.

As a parent, I look at the world and wonder what will be left for my son. What problems are snowballing, and will his generation be able to enjoy this planet? Going outside and playing in the dirt holds graver consequences in his childhood than it did in mine. Going swimming in a neighborhood lake was an afternoon of laughter rather than a search for clean waters and worry about possible contamination.

His school took a recent field trip to the local waste facility. Do you realize that we will run out of land to throw our garbage? The local 'dumps' are usually tucked out of the way, the smelly place that we need to rid ourselves of junk, garbage, paper, food, and more. His generation will fight a hard war against saving our planet, but they also are more aware than my generation was. He remembers to turn off the lights, turn off a running faucet, and not to litter. He realizes that we cannot use and use and use without a consequence. Do you think your house is clean after you take out the trash? It might be, but what about your trash? Is it destroying our Earth?

For these reasons, I wanted to be involved in something greater than I was already doing. I wanted to stand up and participate in a movement that would positively impact our world. Social Traffic is that group. Members have teamed together and with their strengths in social marketing, we are taking our campaign to the world. Our campaign - Earth Day Birthday - will unite local events across the globe.

How can you get involved? There are plenty of ways to get involved with Social Traffic's Earth Day Birthday. We'd love to see you at the party!