Earth Day - A Brief Q&A...
Who founded Earth Day?
Former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson developed the Earth Day
idea. Leaving the Senate in 1981, Nelson now serves as counselor of
The Wilderness Society and continues to promote Earth Day.
When was the first
Earth Day?
Twenty million participants attended rallies and teach-outs all over the United States in
1970, the first year Earth Day was organized.
Is there still an Earth Day?
Yes. Every April 22. This is the 30th anniversary of Earth
Day and the theme for the latest event is "Save Energy Now."
What organizations support Earth
Day?
Earth Day is supported by numerous organizations. Some of these
organizations can be found by reviewing the Earth
Day Network board of directors:
John Adams, Natural Resources Defense Council... Rebecca Adamson, First Nations Development Institute... Alex Bornstein, EarthWays Saint Louis... Deb Callahan, League of Conservation Voters... Phil Clapp, National Environmental Trust... Susan Comfort, Center for Environmental Citizenship... Ken Cook, Environmental Working Group... Jed Goldberg, Earth Day Canada... Jan Hartke, Earth Voice... Denis Hayes, Earth Day Network Chair and CEO, The Bullitt Foundation... Pamela Lippe, Earth Day New York... Michael Martin, MusicMatters... Rose McKinney-James, Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources... Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day Founding Chair, The Wilderness Society... Carl Pope, Sierra Club
Where is Earth Day promoted?
The day involves tens of thousands of events, from rallies and
teach-outs to concerts and earth fairs. It supports environmental awareness in
cities throughout the world. You can find an event close to you here.
What does Earth Day try to
promote?
There are multiple campaigns going on this Earth Day, 2001. Here
are the campaigns and their sponsors:
-
Human Rights and the Environment - Protest against the human rights and environmental abuses -
Amnesty International and Sierra Club. -
Adopt Clean Energy - Support governments that are making commitments to clean energy -
Climate Institute, Counterpart International, Winrock International, Organization of American States, and Forum for Energy and Development. -
Fund Clean Energy - Call for major international funders to channel more money into renewable energy projects, especially in developing countries - Rainforest Action Network, Sustainable Energy and Economy Network, Friends of the Earth, and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).
-
No Nuclear - Tell the United Nations and countries around the globe that nuclear energy is not a safe alternative to fossil fuels - World Information Service on Energy (WISE) and Nuclear Information and Research Service (NIRS).
-
Energy Efficiency - Remind energy-guzzling industrialized nations that efficient use of energy is good for both the environment and the economy - Alliance to Save Energy.
-
Car-Free Day - Draw attention to pollution problems and the need for clean transportation systems by pledging to leave your car home for a day - The Commons.
Several Significant Earth Day
Sites:
http://www.earthday.net/
http://earthday.wilderness.org/
http://envirolink.netforchange.com/earthday/index.html
