This Saturday, April 22, 2023, is Earth Day. Earth Day was created to help bring awareness and support for environmental protection worldwide. The day when there was a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, was the impetus for this celebration, which is now a worldwide movement and was the start of The Earth Day Network.
Earth Day is distinct from Arbor Day, a national holiday that recognizes the importance of trees. The national date for Arbor Day is April 28, 2023, though different states often choose other dates for the planting of trees.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1874, due to a proclamation by Robert W. Furnas, the governor at that time. By 1882, it became a nationwide event. An estimated one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day. Now it is generally celebrated with people who gather in small and large groups to plant trees in their city or with an organization they belong to. Both of these April events promote ways to enhance the health of our environment. You can honor Earth Day by planting a tree in your yard or gathering some of your friends or members of an organization you belong to and seeking places to add trees right here in Marshall. Just get permission first!
Earth Day around the world and changes here in America
More than 193 countries now celebrate Earth Day, so America has affected this change in many other countries worldwide, encouraging people to think about ecology and Mother Earth. There are many events, fairs, marches, and educational programs across America and worldwide to make Earth Day a real celebration. The goal is to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental problems.
A book by Rachel Carson written in the early 1960s, Silent Spring, talked about the effects of pesticides on the earth and its population. Many people think the book started the modern environmental movement in the U.S. She started the conversations about sustainability and organic eating. She helped begin the “back-to-the-land” movement that continued through the decades.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in July 1970. The goal was to begin to regulate and enforce national pollution legislation. Earth Day also led to the Clean Water and Endangered Species Act’s passage.
Eco-friendly – Spring cleaning in Marshall
You can contribute to the Earth Day mission of ecology by changing some ways you clean around the house. Part of ecology is recycling, which is a way to do that in a big way and to decrease stress while making room in your home. Start by cleaning those closets and the garage and get ready for garage or yard sale season. Marshall will be holding a citywide yard sale on May 14, so now is an excellent time to get your “treasures” ready for sale.
Speaking of recycling, do your part every day. Ensure everyone in the family separates the recycling objects and places them in the proper bins in the house or yard. Turn off lights and don’t waste water. Every little bit helps, so do your part.
Change some of your cleaning products to more ecologically sound ones. Consider using e-cloths rather than paper towels. They are great for removing dirt, grease, oil, grime, and most bacteria from hard surfaces, and you can wash them hundreds of times. Consider changing your detergents if they are not environmentally friendly as well.
Are you adding to landfills with bottled water? Get a water filtration system. It would be great to get one that works all over the house. Still, even something like a Brita filter pitcher and using Yeti cups or similar water bottles for running, walking, etc., means way fewer plastic bottles being tossed out.
Make your own natural cleaners.
You can make a homemade eco-friendly drain cleaner using baking soda and vinegar. To clean a drain, pour a pot of boiling water into the drain, then add the baking soda and let it sit. Add two cups of vinegar and more hot water in a short while. Plug the drain and let it sit for at least 20 minutes more, and the drain should unclog. Essential oils can be added to water, and a little vinegar can be an excellent solution for floors, countertops, and sinks.
You can clean showers and tubs with it too.
Every day should be Earth Day. We have much to celebrate here in Marshall, so do your part to keep our town beautiful!
