The Earth Flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder
and pioneer John McConnell
Treat the earth gently
Earth Day promotes environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet.
Sunday, April 22, 2012.
Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held worldwide annually. While some people celebrate Earth Day around the time of the vernal equinox, others observe the occasion on April 22 each year. Earth Day aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment. It is currently observed in more than 140 countries around the world.
What do people do?:
The April 22 Earth Day is usually celebrated with outdoor performances, where individuals or groups perform acts of service to earth by planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting various programs for recycling and conservation, using recyclable containers for snacks and lunches. Some people sign petitions to governments, calling for stronger or immediate action to stop global warming. Television stations frequently air programs dealing with environmental issues.
Background:
The April 22 Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.
In 1978, American anthropologist Margaret Mead added her support for the equinox Earth Day, founded by John McConnell. She stated that the selection of the March Equinox for Earth Day made planetary observance of a shared event possible.
Symbols:
"The Earth Flag is my symbol of the task before us all. Only in the last quarter of my life have we come to know what it means to be custodians of the future of the Earth - to know that unless we care, unless we check the rapacious exploitations of our Earth and protect it, we are endangering the future of our children and our children's children. We did not know this before, except in little pieces. People knew that they had to take care of their own ... but it was not until we saw the picture of the Earth, from the Moon, that we realized how small and how helpless this planet is - something that we must hold in our arms and care for."
Margaret Mead, March 21, 1977
The Earth Flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder and pioneer John McConnell, an early leader in the international peace movement. Inspired by the striking first photographs of the whole Earth taken during America's historic Apollo 10 space mission in 1969, this symbolic creation attained immediate world-wide recognition, including a lifetime association with renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. Dr. Mead carried what she called "the flag for all people" with her wherever she appeared from 1969 until her death in 1977.
The Earth Flag is proudly waved at Earth Day celebrations throughout the world. The Earth Flag now flies as a matter of course in hundreds of American cities, as well as numerous countries in North and South America, in Europe, in Africa, in Asia and Japan.
So what can you do to take part in Earth Day?
Here are some opportunities for Volunteering. Why not get in touch with them and get involved. One thing that I can guarantee is that you will meet some wonderful human beings and you just might have some fun while you are helping.
Earth Team Volunteers:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers
The Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service needs people 14 and older to help reduce soil loss, protect water supplies, and more.
EPA Earth Day Activities :
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency holds local events to celebrate Earth Day.
Forest Service Volunteer:
http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/volunteers.html
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the USDA Forest Service. Your talents and skills are matched with your work preference to satisfy you and fulfill the mission of the Forest Service.
Take Pride in America:
http://www.takepride.gov/
Help maintain our natural, cultural and historic resources on public lands.
National Youth Service Day:
(mid-April each year)
http://www.ysa.org/nysd
The largest service event in the world, mobilizing millions of young Americans to identify and address the needs of their communities through service
USA Freedom Corps:
http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov
Find service opportunities that match your interests and talents in your home town, across the country or around the world.
Volunteer.gov/gov:
http://www.volunteer.gov/gov
Find ways to volunteer with government at all levels.
Don't just sit there - do something to make a change in your own yard, your community, state, nation, the world. Whether you work locally or globally
you and others will benefit from your efforts.
peacesojourner
No comments:
Post a Comment