Since 1970, Earth Day has been observed on April 22nd of every year. Its purpose is to call attention to the environment and to learn what we each of us can do to participate in elevating the condition of the environment — because every little bit helps.

Earth Day

Founded by former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, the idea for Earth Day evolved over several years in the 1960s, because Senator Nelson became more and more troubled that the declining state of our environment was far too much a political non-issue. He successfully persuaded President Kennedy to go on a national conservation tour to give visibility to this issue in 1963. This sparked the idea that ultimately became Earth Day. One person acting upon their idea and inspiring others to act.

Even back then, there was plenty of evidence of environmental degradation. The people were concerned, but the politicians still were not. It took organizing as a huge grassroots action-oriented protest over what was happening to our environment to generate awareness in Washington on this issue. Earth Day today remains a forum for people to express their concern about what is happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air, not to mention what is happening to ourselves and our own health which is being so threatened by toxins. Now, as then, Earth Day works because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. 20 million people joined Earth Day activities in 1970 — plus thousands of schools and local communities. As President Clinton said upon his awarding Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Senator Nelson "inspired us to remember that the stewardship of our natural resources is the stewardship of the American Dream."
We still have a lot to do. Dare to Dream. Participate in being a green steward. Its really very easy.

It's easy to be a green steward. Here's some suggestions:
Heighten your awareness of what ingredients are in the products you buy. Although not as easy as reading labels at the grocery store, knowing what goes into your home products is just as important. Just ask anyone who has ever been in a house or workplace that was later declared to be a sick building. Read some important information in our Sage Learning Center.
Shop for durable, long lasting products. For example, use a coffee mug instead of a disposable one, a metal roasting pan instead of a disposable one. Purchase furniture made of sustainable or salvaged wood instead of conventional particle board, and maintain it with care. It could become a valuable antique!
Reuse or recycle everything. Resell or donate furniture, appliances, building materials, computers, etc. instead of throwing them away. (You can advertise them in our classifieds). What can't be reused, recycle — aluminum cans, papers, bottles, plastic soda bottles, glass bottles, steel containers, milk jugs, telephone books and compost yard waste and appropriate food scraps. To make recycling work full circle, purchase recycled content goods such as glassware, salvaged wood items, salvaged wood flooring or recycled content tiles.
Shop for non-toxic products, such as organic bedding, organic bath towels and organic upholstered furniture. This is the strongest message we can make. Our purchasing decisions talk loudest! Give those who make green products your support. And for those who don't, give them a reason to switch to making greener products — for your sake as well as the planet's.