Every year on April 22nd, Americans and citizens from various nations across the globe celebrate the Environmental Movement with a tradition known as Earth Day. On this day we reflect upon the impact we as humans have on our planet, and take the opportunity to bring environmental issues and concerns to light. Earth Day is a chance for us to not only acknowledges the challenges we face in preserving our planet, but also to make changes which will help to avoid the destruction of our natural resources.
So today, in honor of Earth Day, let’s take a moment to explore how this very important holiday came to be, and what it means for us and our future!
History![planet earth day 2016]()
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, Congressman Pete McCloskey of California, and Professor Denis Hayes of Harvard University are considered by many to be the founding fathers of Earth Day. Inspired by war protests, and the Santa Barbara oil spill of 1969, these men, along with thousands of students and activists around the country, became determined to bring awareness to the issues of environmental protection. April 22, 1970 marked the very first Earth Day, which consisted of an estimated 20 million participants across the U.S., the largest demonstration in American history. Later that year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established to help regulate our nation’s depletion of natural resources. The EPA went on to pass the Clean Air, Clean Water, Safe Water Drinking, and Toxic Substances Control Acts. Throughout the 80s and 90s, the U.S. continued to spearhead efforts for environmental change, while outside the country, the environmental trend went global. By the time the 20th annual Earth Day arrived, it was celebrated in more than 140 nations across the world. This milestone anniversary began the era of recycling.
![recycle on earth day]()
Today
Each and every day, humans continue to have a significant impact on the planet. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the animals we live with are all a part of a delicate balance which affects not just our present, but the future for generations to come. Even the smallest individual behaviors have the power to affect the planet in one way or another; the choice to throw a plastic bottle in the recycling instead of the trash can can mean the difference between a renewable resource, and 450 years in a landfill.
So, what else can you do to help? Try to reduce the amount of plastics or other non-degradable products in your home. Take the bus or walk to your nearest destinations instead of driving. Turn off the light when you leave a room, or better yet, make the switch to LEDs! Old fashioned incandescent bulbs draw large amounts of power relative to their light output, which increases demand on power plants, and increases the amount of coal which needs to be burned across the nation. Other bulbs like CFL’s contain mercury and need to be disposed of properly to avoid contamination. By comparison, LEDs contain NO toxic elements, they use far less energy than other light sources, and have a longer life span. Because of these factors, the use of LEDs helps to reduce both emissions, and waste. Remember the small choices we make everyday will ultimately have a lasting impact on our future!
To learn more about LED lighting, be sure to follow the Inspired LED blog, and look for other ways in which switching to LEDs can help to reduce your carbon footprint. If you have specific questions about our products and services, you can visit our website, contact us directly through email at orders@inspiredled.com, or give us a call at 480-941-4286.
Sources:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/earthdays/2/
