Each year, Earth Day -- April 22 -- marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement, but what really happens on Earth Day? Depending where you live it may seem that nothing happens on Earth Day but did you know that over six million Canadians—including nearly every school-aged child—participate in annual Earth Day activities in their communities? If you are in Smithers on April 22 and are free at noon, visit Smithers Secondary School to see Earth Day displays and the launch of a green power bike charging station. The stationary bike generator charges cell phones and will even run a blender so students can make smoothies.
In a world where the environment is a daily topic of discussion Earth Day is more relevant then ever. This is backed up by the fact that the occasion has been observed by millions of people with tangible actions for 45 years. Earth Day IS the largest civic event in the world, because it is not specific to any national or religious holiday. The day is celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a billion people participate in Earth Day campaigns every year.
But where did it all begin? The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.
The idea for Earth Day came from Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. After witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and being inspired by the student anti-war movement, Gaylord Nelson realized that if he could infuse the energy of anti-war protesters with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. "It was a gamble," founder Gaylord Nelson recalled, "but it worked."
The result was that on the 22nd of April 1970, 20 million Americans took to streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories ,power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife, suddenly realized they shared common values.
Learn even more about Earth Day by listening to this week's Art Beat show on this (CICK) website by clicking on the schedule, Art Beat, and Play List.
http://www.smithersradio.com/program-playlist/art-beat-playlist-04172015
Meanwhile, here are some links related to this week's show.
Make sure to visit this one about Smithers Secondary School Winning Green Team Entry:
http://www.scienceworld.ca/bc-green-games-team-invents-new-way-power-greenhouse
What's Happening on Earth Day - The Earth Day Canada Charity and Website:
A History of Environmental and Conservation Movements in Canada:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/environmental-and-conservation-movements/
Luke Wallace, a Vancouver Musician who has made a documentary film about BC's natural places called One Big Coast. Luke tells me he will be performing in Smithers this August so stay tuned! http://www.lukewallacemusic.com/
Still looking for more Earth Day Music? Try the Canadian Music Hall of Fame's list:
http://canadianmusichalloffame.ca/music-for-earth-day/
No live show next week as I disappear from Smithers for some time off. I'll be back May 1 to talk about the national event Music Monday with some special guests The annual day celebrates music instruction and music teachers across Canada.
From My Little Art Heart I'm
Colleen Sharpe