Earth Day 2010: 40 Years Later

Earth Day 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the modern environmental movement. The idea behind Earth Day was conceived of by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (a Democrat from Wisconsin). In 1969, Senator Nelson announced his plan to create a nationwide teach-in day on environmental issues. He hopes that creating a grassroots movement focusing on the environment would show Washington D.C. that Americans cared deeply about the vast harm being done to the planet.

The first Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970. Approximately 20 million Americans participated. Protests and events were staged around the country and once unrelated groups lobbying against causes as varied as the extinction of animals and wildlife, oil spills, toxic materials and general deterioration of the environment came to realize they shared very similar goals.

Senator Nelson explained the power behind the movement:

“Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.”

Earth Day participants have grown in huge numbers over the last 40 years and today more than one billion people in 190 countries are taking action for Earth Day. While it’s important for all of us to observe Earth Day each April 22, it’s even more important to make an effort the other 364 days of the year. Here are a few small things that you can do to help out the planet:

*Buy local- shop at a farmer’s market and purchase organic food.

*Pay bills online.

*Use a reusable water bottle.

*Buy environmentally friendly cleaning products.

*Use public transportation, walk, ride a bike or buy a hybrid car.

*Skip the plastic bag, use a reusable canvas one instead.

Here at Blue Kitabu we’re getting into the Earth Day spirit too! We received some beautiful fabric samples which were going to be thrown in the trash and we’re turning them into adorable handbags and clutches. It’s an example of one easy way to turn something that was headed to the dump into something that can be used for years to come. Do you have ideas about ways to re-use old fabrics or household goods? We’d be happy to hear from you if you do!