Earth Day is a globally recognized event held annually on April 22. On that date, events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The city of Sioux Falls, SD has partnered with certified green businesses and eco-minded individuals to offer several exciting events to help businesses and residents celebrate Earth Day 2016.
Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin, came up with the idea for Earth Day. He envisioned Earth Day as an environmental teaching moment. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, with a surprising 20 million people participating. Ultimately, it became the largest organized celebration in United States history.
Earth Day Through the Years
Over the course of many years, the recognition of the day, and the number of people celebrating it world-wide, turned Earth Day into a global celebration. Because it is celebrated throughout the world, it is the largest international environmental observation, and is also more widely celebrated than any other environmental event in today’s world. Presently, Earth Day is celebrated in 175 countries with over 500 million people participating in celebrations around the globe.
The Earth Day Movement
The Earth Day movement is credited with fostering the idea that people should “think green”. It spurred Congress to enact laws, including one that resulted in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. The passage of the Endangered Species Act also came about as a result of the Earth Day movement.
The Five “R”s of Earth Day
1. Reduce. Reduce by avoiding unnecessary purchases. Reduce your use of materials that just end up in landfills. Reduce the use of harmful chemicals in and around your home. Reduce your use of disposable plastic bags, plates, cups, eating utensils, and batteries. Choose toothbrushes made with eco-friendly bamboo to reduce the number of used plastic handled-toothbrushes that end up in our landfills.
2. Reuse. Instead of using those environmentally unfriendly plastic bags for your groceries or purchases, bring your own reusable bags. When you purchase coffee at your favorite coffee house, take a travel mug so you don’t have to get your coffee in a disposable paper cup. When storing leftover food in the refrigerator, use containers that can be washed and reused instead of using disposable containers. Don’t use regular batteries. Whenever possible, choose rechargeable batteries that you can reuse time and again.
3. Recycle. Most municipalities offer a recycling program to collect used bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard and newspapers. Recycling includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste; sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers, and manufacturing raw materials into new products such as plastic water jugs turned into park benches.
4. Re-buy. Make an effort to purchase things that are made through recycling. When buying furniture, look for items that are made from reclaimed wood. When purchasing paper for kids’ school work, computer printer paper, holiday cards, or any other paper products, make a point of choosing recycled paper products. Instead of buying clothing at full retail price, shop for clothing at your local consignment shop. You can also save a lot of money by doing this!
5. Rethink. Rethink the way you do things so that you do them in an eco-friendly way whenever possible. Instead of commuting to work alone, consider taking the bus or going in a carpool. Walk or ride your bike when you’re only traveling a short distance. Plan your shopping trips and errands so that you can do everything in one trip, in a way that you can save time and gas.
Other ways to “think green” include gardening to grow your own food, composting food scraps and yard waste, or by participating in local recycling programs. Join an online group like Freecycle so you can share your unneeded and unwanted possessions with people who can use them. In return, you’ll be able to get things you need or want for free.
Earth Day reminds us that the planet belongs to everyone, so everyone is equally responsible for protecting it. Although Earth Day is a one-day annual environmental celebration, we at Horner Barrow Orthodontics would like to recommend you make changes that will allow you and your family to live a greener life each and every day.
Happy Earth Day from all of us at Horner Barrow Orthodontics!