The initial Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, when I was approaching my 20th birthday. There was a great deal of excitement and hope associated with that declaration, coming amidst the infancy of the Environmental Movement.
Fifty-four years later, the annual celebration continues, reminding conservation-minded individuals that the health of our planet depends on our protection and stewardship of its varied and interconnected ecosystems. Unfortunately, the success of this project has been mixed, at best.
Habitat protection and anti-pollution efforts have dominated its focus; while public awareness of these issues has surely increased, both remain significant problems and, in some cases, have worsened (plastic pollution, for example). And, while global warming was not on the public radar in 1970, it has become a major and worsening environmental crisis. We humans voice our support for conservation measures with ease but action does not often follow. Happy Earth Day to all!
See also: Earth Day
