earth day 2010

Happy 40th Earth Day! I often don't even have a post on Earth Day, which might be surprising given the theme of my blog. While the intentions might be good, I find that there is so much hype and green messaging happening around this date that it gets kind of overwhelming. Do all the stories and events inspire you to change some habits? Or does it perpetuate a crunchy, eccentric ethic?

On the local radio morning show this morning they had a guest (a business reporter from the newspaper, I think) who said he believed true environmental change will happen through financial incentives—that at the end of the day, it is all about money. For industry, government, and maybe many folks this is probably true. Switching to solar looks a lot more appealing when there is a huge rebate check from the government to do it!

In thinking about Earth Day, I've put together a few of the most inspirational events and announcements that I've received:

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Moms Rising is asking folks to join in signing an Earth Day letter to Congress urging support for safer chemicals in products used by babies and children, and in all consumer products. It is a quick and easy (and important!) thing to do.

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Environment California is calling for donations to help ban plastic shopping bags in all of California. A great step considering all that plastic floating in the Pacific.

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Who doesn't love a good poster contest, especially by students? Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul: Whole Living magazine partnered with PENCIL (a New York City public school education organization) to celebrate Earth Day this year by sponsoring an Earth Day Poster Contest at ten New York City public schools. They are having an exhibit of the posters tonight, but I won't have images to share of them until after the party. What a fantastic and engaging idea!

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Al Gore, the founder of Repower America, sent a message asking people to call their senators. There will be legislation introduced in the next few days looking to improve the US climate policy (which is far less progressive than many other countries).

"Today, on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the world is looking to the U.S. for leadership on climate. Call your Senator to tell him or her to fight for the strongest possible clean energy and climate legislation. Call now: 1-877-55-REPOWER (1-877-557-3769) And then report your call here. "

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Repower America has done a great job at refreshing the Earth Day message with Biz Markie. They say, "it's easy to succumb to doom and gloom. But each of us came to this movement because of the joy we find in working together to build a sustainable future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. Today, on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, we have come together in this video to share that inspiration -- all while joining in the call for the strong clean energy and climate legislation our nation needs."

You know that I'm a big believer in protest and reform through song and smiles!
Happy Earth Day.