With the gradually rising temperatures, blue(r) skies and longer days, people are starting to spend extra time outside. You see more neighbors taking leisurely walks, pretty window box gardens being planted, and spontaneous outdoor sports games organized. There’s also the fuzzy little white fluff floating around like a snowfall heralding in the spring (sorry, allergy-sufferers…I sympathize, but I do think those fluffs are pretty!).
What a perfect time to remember Earth Day.
The first Earth Day was over 40 years ago on April 22, 1970, and this initiative can arguably be credited with launching the more modern environmental movement around the world. Programs promoting the well-being of our earth have spawned from nation to nation – as big as laws protecting our earth, to educational opportunities teaching our children how to safeguard their planet. Clean Air, Clean Water, Endangered Species and countless other acts help drive the momentum, making Earth Day now the largest civic observance in the world.
Going green doesn’t need to be so complicated to teach our children. The baby steps they take at school and at home can go a long way in fostering their appreciation for the planet. Simply planting flowers with them teaches them a valuable lesson, as does recycling and conserving water. Provide daily examples by letting them see what goes into and how you pack their school lunches, or make a trip to donate un-needed items instead of throwing them away. “Saving Earth” is a bit of a daunting task for school-aged children, but knowing they can do their part one step at a time can lead to giant steps in their future.
So start by sharing Earth Day with them. A brief history, fun family activities, and just a gentle nudge to carry forward can go a long way. For ideas to share with them, go to this site or this site. Happy Earth Day!
