Before Earth Day Month Kicks Off…
April 1, 2008 by Jennifer
Let’s discuss it a bit.
Read this post first. Geez, angry much?
People reading this blog, know that I personally did not agree with the whole, “Lights off issue” so I can’t argue about that. However, I can’t tell if this individual is actually mad because we aren’t doing enough, or just thinks trying to save the earth is total bunk. Can you? I do know that this person’s post is made out in a fairly accusing tone and sounds as if it’s speaking to everyone – but I don’t have a Lincoln Navigator.
Here at Tree Hugging Family we do actually have a special month-long Earth Day event planned. Which is why I’m bringing this up. Just because we’re having an Earth Day deal does not mean that I think you should only celebrate Earth Day on Earth Day. That is bunk. I actually do have some Earth Day issues for some of the same reasons as the person who wrote that angry post. I just go about what I think in a different way.
I’d honestly like there not to be an Earth Day. I’m not a fan of the whole, “Let’s single green out as special” when it should be, “Let’s do the best we can and beyond each and every day.” On the other hand, if some person who has never given a day’s thought to what’s best for the planet, happens upon an Earth Day event, and they change their mind, they become advocates for the planet, well, then I guess Earth Day does have a purpose.
It’s a tough call. Peggy and I emailed back and fourth about this a bit – (although, trust me, I’m more ambivalent than Peggy). And we’re going to celebrate Earth Day here, but we also agree that what we would adore is if people tried to be more green everyday – not just on April 22nd.
Before this whole month kicks off, I did want to get that off my chest. I’m concerned when people get as angry as this person above, simply because that doesn’t help either. I know we aren’t nearly doing all that we can, trust me, I do know that, but overall, I believe we have to keep trying, or what… just be mad, get upset, toss the whole idea aside.
In any case, Peggy and I did plan something pretty cool for Earth Day. But it’ll be going on all month long. I’ll post that later today.
For now, tell me what you think. Is Earth Day a total scam? Are we so far gone that even trying to live smarter is useless? Should we cancel it to prove a point? Keep on trucking along? What do you think?
I think that Earth Day, in and of itself is dumb. like anything else, people need to come to their own conclusions, and tend to do better if they see postive differences in our lives, rather than in what we say.
However, you and Peggy, do celebrate earth day, daily, on this blog. Your posts are interesting and newsworthy, and helpful.
Go for it.
True, what we see is better, works better then having someone simply tell us what to do. The problem though is that some people don’t even know there’s an issue, some don’t know where to start, which is a good argument for ED. Overall though, while I personally would not go so far as to say ED is dumb, I have issues with the idea.
Keep in mind that Earth Day was started back in 1970. A lot has changed since then. We are more aware now, so it seems like a strange holiday. It should be an everyday thing.
Jennifer, that poster you linked to is confusing earth day with earth hour. I’ve seen others do this as well. Maybe it’s too much?
I think that poster seemed to be ripping on the light issue and ED both. You make a good point though. It was started back in the day, when few folks knew about these topics.
Maybe this is different on the West Coast, and I live in Pennsylvania. Most people I encounter seem oblivious to the idea of conservation (my out-spokenness is starting to bear fruit, though). I live in a suburb (much to my chagrin), and tomorrow is trash day. I get so discouraged when I see the piles of cardboard boxes piled curbside every Wednesday night. I found out from Earth911 that there is a cardboard recycling bin once a month at our city fire hall, but guess what? No one in our neighborhood knows about it. Why? The bin is actually sponsored by a different township than the one my neighborhood is in, so they promote it to that township, but as the guy in charge said when I called with my zillion questions, they “don’t encourage” residents outside their township to participate. Is this nuts or what???? The bin is in the parking lot of our own city’s firehall!
I’m not sure excatly what this has to do with Earth Day. Maybe I’m trying to say that, as an idealist, I wish people cared every day. Heck, I wish even the people in charge of coordinating the recycling program cared. As a disillusioned idealist, I say, Eeyore style, “Well, at least there’s still Eath Day.”
@Katherine you know, you make a good point. Peggy noted that ED has been around for a while, which is true, but frankly, I also only see a small population of folks who seem to care about eco-topics. Green may well be the new black, but I see tons of people who do very questionable things still. I guess as long as the majority of people aren’t taking steps to be green, ED may well be a good idea.
I think Earth Day is a good idea. It is a good way to raise awareness. And I hope most people realize we can’t save the Earth with just one days actions. But for those unaware, even if it is just one person learning more about how to save our Earth, then isn’t it worth it? That one person will tell others, and they’ll tell others, etc. That whole “word of mouth” thing. And what about the kids? I think they learn so much from Earth Day activities. This gets them excited, and they WANT to do more, everyday. Not just on Earth Day. Kids really do keep their parents on the ball, and push their parents to be more conscious of their actions. I know mine do.