Today is Earth Day, a tradition that began 39 years ago. It was founded in 1970 by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who envisioned an "environmental teach–in" that would promote awareness of an environment–friendly agenda.That first Earth Day was modest compared to what it has become in nearly four decades, but it still was impressive. More than 20 million people participated. In recent years, more than half a billion people have observed Earth Day in more than 175 countries, and CNN expects more than 1 billion to be involved in Earth Day activities today.
Nelson passed away in 2005, but the New Richmond News in his home state reports that his daughter says her father "always knew that our economic well–being depends on the quality of our natural resources."
Tia Nelson "also said Gaylord Nelson would be pleased at how the environmental movement continues to grow, especially during today's efforts to move the economy out of its recession." Unfortunately, though, Earth Day hasn't been getting as much attention as I hoped.
Even so, NPR is taking the opportunity to remind people that getting back to basics is good for us as well as the planet.
I do feel compelled to commend my church here in Dallas. Last Sunday's service was devoted to Earth Day. The Women's Chorus of Dallas sang at the service, including a rendition of Carly Simon's "Let the River Run," which inspired me to attach a video clip of Simon with this post.
Following the church service, the adults participated in a special lunch. Members of the congregation prepared vegetarian dishes to emphasize a planet–friendly diet, and the participants in the lunch voted on the best recipes. While the votes were being tabulated, there were presentations intended to raise awareness of things that can benefit the planet.
This morning, the Dallas Morning News provided a rundown on events that were planned today in north Texas.
Perhaps naïvely, I thought there would be more commentary elsewhere today about Earth Day, but I haven't been able to find much. Maureen Dowd of the New York Times is obsessing today about Tweeter, which has been a hot topic of late. I guess, if those who use Tweeter were Tweetering about the environment, she might be writing about Earth Day today. But I suppose the majority of Tweeter users are more interested in gossip than in causes — and Dowd, who has no whipping boy now that George W. Bush has been run out of town and Democrats control Congress, apparently prefers to ride the latest technological trend.
Dowd filed her column from San Francisco, where I would expect more attention to be given to Earth Day, but I haven't found so much as a single reference to it in the city that was synonymous with social activism when I was growing up.
It should be noted, though, that the Times does ask if being overweight contributes to the climate problem. That probably isn't what Nelson had in mind in 1970, but it's something.
Of course, there are other things going on in the world today:
- The acting chief financial officer of mortgage company Freddie Mac appears to have committed suicide by hanging. His body was found in the basement of his home.
- Barack Obama has — reluctantly — opened the possibility of investigating the use of terrorism during the previous administration.
- Miss California's answer to a question on same–sex marriage apparently didn't satisfy the Miss USA judges.
Frankly, I think we should all pause and reflect on the words to a prayer of confession that was part of the Sunday morning service at my church last weekend:
For times we have failed to consider the harm done to air, water, land, plants and animals, have mercy upon us.
For times we have failed to conserve energy, have mercy upon us.
For allowing ourselves to be saturated by the allurements of a consuming culture, have mercy upon us.
For not living more simply so others could simply live, have mercy upon us.
For not being thankful for the many gifts you have given, have mercy upon us all.
We only have one planet.
Let's treat it well — while we still can.
2 comments:
I'm with you all the way! And that truly was a beautiful prayer. I get so sad when I think of the damage being done to the earth. For all the believers out there, I say, think what God must be feeling when He sees you ruining the home He gave you. I know Ronald Reagan was part of the Religious Right (correct me if I'm wrong), but he once said that trees weren't that important. Wouldn't it make sense for him to be environmentally conscious for the simple fact that he believed it was made by God?
And sorry for this long comment, but living simply and the consumer culture have been on my mind a lot. Audrey Hepburn was all about simplicity, and when she worked for UNICEF, she said that there were people ruininhg our planet, and then she asked if our children would be next. It's time for all us of us to put aside our differences and self interest and to work to save our world and our brothers and sisters.
I agree with you, Graciebird.
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