Holidays From a Philanthropic Perspective: Earth Day

By Tifanie Dallen

Graduate Student, Grand Valley State University (Fall, 2005)

Definition

Earth Day is a holiday that is recognized globally, but more so an event that people of all ages can take part in on April 22nd of each year. It is a day for people to recognize the earth, our environment, and the importance of protecting both in order to live healthy lives. There are many ways to take part in Earth Day and bring awareness to the protection of the earth, but Earth Day doesn’t end at the stroke of midnight. Instead, there are people fighting each and every day to prevent the dangers that exist, from ruining the planet.

Historic Roots

Earth Day was conceptualized by Senator Nelson Gaylord, and realized on April 22, 1970. Closely following Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency was developed. Next came the Clean Air Act of 1970. Following came the “Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act” (DLTK-Kids).

The environment became a global topic — an issue in which people everyone took concern. Global Warming eventually became a hot topic on the news, as did the problems with the ozone layer. Organizations began to form around specific interests, and people started taking action. Soon, results were starting to be noticed, but so much more still needs to be done.

Importance

The start of Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency “with a mission to protect the environment and public health” (EPA-Earth Day). Congress began passing environmental Acts left and right, bans and restrictions were put on harmful substances, standards were created, and a new era of environmentally minded people were born. Importance was placed on clean air, and clean water, and soon anyone caught harming either would not be in a good position.

As members of this earth, it is important that concern is shared for this topic, and passed on to others. Earth Day is more than just a day of promoting the environment; it’s a way of life all year long. Earth Day is about living in an Earth friendly way, and stressing that friendliness to everyone in the world. To celebrate Earth Day one day a year is foolish…celebrate Earth Day every day!

Ties to the Philanthropic Sector

Earth Day was created in response to the continuing destruction of our planet, and the recognition that action needed to take place to preserve that which exists now, and prevent it from disappearing in the future. The founder of this annual event saw a need for recognition of the earth and all that it provides. Over twenty million Americans agreed on the very first Earth Day, and as a result, numerous organizations have been created in an effort to promote the importance of the earth.

Animals, recycling, water, and the rainforest, are just some of the many examples of topics people choose to promote when speaking about the earth. It is very important to remember that unless something is done to preserve that which is here now, who knows what will exist in the future. It is the passion of those that think of the future, and those that will be living on planet earth at that time, that work tirelessly to protect it.

So much must be done to save the planet, and all it took was one person with an idea to create Earth Day. Yet each day, millions of people around the world continue to promote the many ways everyone can chip in to do a little something to help keep the grass green, the water safe to drink, the sky safe to breathe, animals alive, and plants existing. There are many ways to help the earth, and the best part is, anyone can do it, any time, anywhere.

Key Related Ideas

Conservation can be defined as the “sustainable use and protection of natural resources” (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004). Essentially, the goal is to make sure that whatever exists now, continues to exist in the future, such as clean air and water, or plants and animals.

Endangered Species are those species of plants or animals that are on the verge of extinction (note: extinction is when all of one species dies). Tens of thousands of species are in danger of becoming extinct due mainly to “habitat destruction, commercial exploitation, damage caused by nonnative plants and animals introduced into an area, and pollution (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004).

The Environmental Movement came as a response to citizen protests, and what is now known as Earth Day. The National Environmental Policy Act was passed in 1970, creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new “independent agency responsible for protecting the environment and maintaining it for future generations. Congress also enacted laws to curb pollution, preserve wilderness areas, and protect endangered species. The Supreme Court allowed conservationists to sue businesses for polluting the environment and government agencies for failure to enforce the law” (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004).

Pollution is the “contamination of Earth’s environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems (living organisms and their physical surroundings). Although some environmental pollution is a result of natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, most is caused by human activities (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004).

Important People Related to the Topic

• John McConnell (March 22, 1915): This site www.earthsite.org/ claims John McConnell to be the founder of Earth Day. The site’s title is: International Earth Day: The Official Site. Upon first glance one would think that the information is correct, and some of it may be, but after further research, it would be hard to believe the information contained within. Caution to any searchers and teachers on Earth Day, The only founder of Earth Day is Senator Gaylord Nelson, and the date is, and always has been, April 22nd of each year.
  
  
• Senator Gaylord Nelson (June 4, 1916 – July 3, 2005): Senator Nelson was inspired by the “teach-ins” dealing with the Vietnam War. He took his environmental thoughts and ideas that started brewing in 1962 and turned them into reality when he staged “a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment” (The Wilderness Society). Twenty million people turned out for the event, and today the event is recognized and observed globally, as Earth Day. Since that day on April 22nd, 1970, yearly recognition is given to our environment, and to Earth Day’s founder.
  
  
• Melissa Poe (1980): At nine years old, a little girl saw the need to protect the environment and so she started a club. Within one year, the club of six quickly grew into a nonprofit corporation and gained national attention. Her organization continued to grow, and the mission defined. Children everywhere working to better the environment, as a group, within a club for kids, by kids (Kids F.A.C.E.).

Related Nonprofit Organizations

• Earth Day Grocery Project: The idea came from a workshop for teachers in the summer of 1993, and the idea stuck with 3rd grade teacher Mark Ahlness from Arbor Heights Elementary School in Seattle, Washington. “In the spring of 1994, working from his home computer, Mark distributed information about the project to two listservs (Ednet and Kidsphere), and invited others to join in.” He received a great response, and during the first year “43 schools sent him email reporting that more than 10,000 students from across the U.S. and Canada had decorated over 13,000 Earth Day bags.” This web site, www.earthdaybags.org/ was then developed “to help promote the project and environmental awareness” and since 1993, the project has expanded globally and hundreds of thousands of bags have been decorated.
  
  
• Earth Day Network: “Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.” This organization provides information for everyone to stay up to date on environmental issues, and most importantly, to find out how to get involved. Getting involved may be one of the better links, as it connects the searcher to an entire Teachers Network that has been created to provide “tools for integrating environmental issues into core curriculum subjects.” After filling out a simple form, free access will be granted to a plethora of resources that will enhance the classroom all year long. www.earthday.net/default.aspx.
  
  
• Kids For A Clean Environment: Started by kids, for kids in 1989 by the heart of one little girl, a club of six was formed to get kids involved in taking action. The little things that others take for granted – picking up trash, recycling, planting trees, is where they got their start and soon other kids wanted to join. Today with a membership of more than 300,000 in more than 2,000 clubs in 22 countries, “Kids F.A.C.E. members have distributed and planted over 1 million trees, and made an impact on the environment louder than most adults. www.kidsface.org/.
  
  
• Tree Musketeers: “The nation’s first youth environmental organization” was started in 1987 by third graders, inspired by Marcie the Marvelous Tree. “While taking action to help the planet, kids teach other kids to become active citizens and community leaders.” When it comes to the environment, kids rule, or is it Marcie the Marvelous Tree? Or, is it the www.treemusketeers.org/index.asp Tree Musketeers?

Related Web Sites

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/earthday/index.htm - This governmental website was created by the EPA which was developed as a result of Earth Day. The Earth Day page and the resources available provide extensive detail on the timeline of events that have occurred since the first celebration in 1970 up until events of 2004. Also included on the site, are the relationships of the environment to home, school, work, and the community. Finally, the entire site can be viewed in Spanish, which makes this site available to an even larger audience of viewers.

Planet Pals: www.planetpals.com/ - This website is full of information from clip art to learning tools. If you click on the “What on Earth is Here” Link underneath the Planetpals heading, it will take you to a long list of links to everything available on the site. It may not be the easiest site to navigate, but it does provide a lot of good tools that could be useful in the classroom, along with links to other resources. Word of warning though, if you stumble across their story of Earth Day, they make mention of John McConnell being the founder.

Time for Kids: www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/articles/0,6709,611516,00.html. This is a wonderful educational resource that can be used by child or adult. The information provided is factual as well as historical but presented in a very kid-friendly manner. Fun activities, as well as additional links on the topic, can found to enrich lessons, as well as provide further information on related interests.

Wilderness Society: www.earthday.wilderness.org/ - Teachers will find this website to be especially helpful as it is full of information on the history of Earth Day as well as biographical information on “Planetary Heroes”. The site also contains some fun sections in the “Artic Adventure” and “Kids in Action” area. The best resource, however, is the “Teachers Lounge” section, which contains a multitude of lessons, ideas, and activities that are readily available for use.

Bibliography and Internet Sources

DLTK-Kids. About Earth Day. Accessed 7 December 2005. www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth/about.htm.

EnviroLink. How the First Earth Day Came About. Accessed 7 December 2005. www.earthday.envirolink.org/history.html.

EPA – Earth Day. Environmental Progress. Accessed 7 December 2005. www.epa.gov/earthday/history.htm.

Kids F.A.C.E. A Club of Six. Accessed 7 December 2005. www.kidsface.org/pages/aclubofsix.html.

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004. CD-ROM. Microsoft, 2004.

The Wilderness Society. Senator Gaylord Nelson. Accessed 7 December 2005. www.earthday.wilderness.org/hero/nelson.pdf.