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Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. According to the Earth Day website, “The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life to share their concerns about each citizen’s critical role in the environment. Their actions led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Now over one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world.”

Every year during the month of April people across the United States and the world celebrate. These celebrations range from large events such as festivals or rallies to individuals and groups planting trees or picking up trash, to letter writing campaigns.

Earth Day is a great time to come together with like-minded people and work for change in how we care for the Earth, but we can’t let it stop there. Earth Day is a time to remember how important it is that we work together to save the earth, but it’s not the big splashy events that count. It’s the single, simple actions of individual every day of the year that will bring about change. What will you do today to start that change?

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement

Thought for Today

‘To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk
or an evening saunter;
to be thrilled by the stars at night;
to be elated over a bird’s nest
or a wildflower in spring
– these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”
~ John Burroughs, Naturalist (1837-1921) ~

Thought for Today

“If we’re destroying our trees and destroying our environment and hurting animals and hurting one another and all that stuff, there’s got to be a very powerful energy to fight that. I think we need more love in the world. We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that. — Ellen De Generes
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_environmental.html#QTsrxYHORxvBtjfu.99

Thought for Today

“In Los Angeles, I drive a hybrid and live in a very simple home. Anything you do from carrying a canteen of water to starting a recycling program in your office makes a difference. Reusing what you already have has always been green – from clothes to boxes to glass jars from the supermarket.” — Rachel Boston

Activities to Teach Children to Care for the Earth

It is important that we teach our children that it is our responsibility to care for the earth. I don’t think you can start too young with this. Keep it positive, and show not only by words but by example ways that we can help the planet. This is not something we can leave to the schools, we must teach these things at home. The following are links to activities that you may find helpful.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth/index.html

50 Earth Day Activities for Kids

http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenprograms/tp/earth_day_kids.htm

http://www.parents.com/blogs/toddlers-kids/2015/04/16/fun/earth-day-activities-for-kids/

Thought for Today

“First, there is the power of the Wind, constantly exerted over the globe…. Here is an almost incalculable power at our disposal, yet how trifling the use we make of it! It only serves to turn a few mills, blow a few vessels across the ocean, and a few trivial ends besides. What a poor compliment do we pay to our indefatigable and energetic servant!” — Henry Thoreau

Thought for Today

“There is an urgent need to stop subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, dramatically reduce wasted energy, and significantly shift our power supplies from oil, coal, and natural gas to wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy source.” — Bill McKibben

Thought for Today

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” – John Muir

Thought for Today

“The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it.” – Barry Commoner

Thought for Today

“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.” — Thich Nhat Hanh