Tips for light footsteps on Mother Earth: Why Earth Day?
Today starts our weeklong series on tips for light footsteps on Mother Earth by considering why earth day is part of our yearly calendar. Where did it come from and what are we supposed to do on Earth Day? Many of our Vermont traditions, like Green Up Day, are not practiced across the U.S. nor the world. So, Earth Day is one day that all nations are connected in calling for actions that keep our planet healthy. Earth Day began when US Senator Gaylord Nelson witnessed the effects of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA in 1969. He called to action all Americans to take a stand for the environment in 1970, and thousands of colleges and universities across the United States organized protests for a healthy, sustainable Earth. This included cleaning up air pollution from factories and freeways, as well as reducing the loss of habitats for animals and animal extinction. Because of these national rallies, the first Earth Day helped create the United States Environmental Prote...