By Lisa E. Kirkwood
Each year, across the globe, people welcome a new season with various celebrations. Many of these are socially oriented or environmentally centered, and as easy or elaborate as we want them to be, but their main theme is connecting with nature and learning to appreciate what’s happening in the natural world.
Spring is the season of revival, renewal, rain showers, and vegetation growth. The equinox in the month of March traditionally marks the beginning of spring, a good time to enjoy the clear blue color of the sky after the winter grey, support wildlife, plant trees in the neighborhood, or do some gardening in your own backyard.
In the month of April, throughout the USA, we observe National Garden Month, Keep America Beautiful Month, and National Wildlife Week, as well as National Dolphin Day, Save the Elephant Day, and World Penguin Day! Also in April, we celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day, two distinctive and popular holidays with a common purpose – to support environmental protection.
On Arbor Day, individuals and groups are encouraged to plant more trees, maintain clean air, and protect the environment against climate change. This holiday was first observed on April 10, 1872, in the state of Nebraska with the planting of more than one million trees, and it’s now celebrated all over the world, usually in springtime.
However, the dates and seasons for tree planting vary by country, according to weather conditions in different geographical areas. Initially, Arbor Day was called Sylvan Day, coming from the Latin word “Silva,” meaning “of the forest” or “woodland.” Eventually the term “arbor” was chosen to include all types of trees, which are vital to life on Earth. Over the past few decades, billions of trees have been planted worldwide to increase forested areas, stop the expansion of deserts, and restore natural habitats for wildlife.
In the 1970s, substantial environmental legislation was passed, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Superfund, Toxics Substances Control Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. DDT and lead in gasoline were banned, and The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created; its regional offices currently operate within several states and territories.
Earth Day is a recognized planetary event observed every year on Aprill 22. First held in 1970, it now comprises a wide range of activities coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network), and it involves more than 1 billion people in almost all the countries of the world. Under the patronage of the United Nations, federal and state governments and local administrations, as well as non-profit organizations, schools, civic and volunteer associations in various regions collaborate and strive to take proactive measures that help nature and reverse the extensive damage caused to it.
Numerous communities are engaged in Earth Day Week actions, focused on the environmental issues that we all face. On Earth Day 2020, over 100 million people around the world observed the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, in what is being referred to as the largest online mass mobilization in history.
I fondly remember the animated TV series of the 90s, Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Gaia, the spirit of the planet, assembles a diverse team of “planeteers”, who can combine their powers to summon an elemental warrior that takes on the appearance of superhero Captain Planet. He works with the planeteers to defend Earth from pollution caused by criminals and villains.
An environmental manifesto, this series enjoyed wide international success. It remains relevant to this day and is just one of the numerous social factors to pave the way for the greener future that we should all live in.
Of course, green initiatives are not limited to entertainment or to a particular timeline. The power to change is yours. Year-round, there are endless opportunities to help the planet and the people. If you’re inclined to volunteer for public service, you can always plant a tree, clean the park or the beach, save the whales, adopt a pet, and improve your community. You will feel better about yourself and the world, and more aligned with the rhythm of nature.
Conservation and protection of biodiversity, use of alternative energies, recycling, reduction and elimination of industrial pollutants, management of water and natural resources, and environmental stewardship in its endless aspects are ongoing issues that pertain to all mankind.
We must be conscious of our actions, impact, and carbon footprint. The importance of collective awareness, commitment, and implementation of green-oriented programs cannot be overstated. This means, among other important things, food security, organic agriculture, mitigation of climate change, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.
Together with the International Day of Forests in March, World Environment Day in June, Word Soil Day in December, Earth Hour observance, and other similar events throughout the year, Arbor Day and Earth Day are highlights of a shared responsibility to rebuild our troubled relationship with nature, and a noble cause that unites all human beings.
Earth Day transcends national borders, spans mountains, oceans and lands, and it brings people together from across the world to preserve and restore harmony in nature, while enjoying the benefits of technological advancements, real-time global communication, and one interconnected planetary culture with the hope and determination to build a better and brighter future for everyone.
Every day is Earth Day, and every hour is Earth hour. We should all be tree huggers and stewards of the environment, love and protect the planet that sustains us and every living species, as we coexist in interdependence. Terra has been home to countless civilizations for millennia, way before recorded history. It is our world to keep clean, beautiful, safe, and prosperous for generations to come.
