Earth Day's History and How Others Are Celebrating

The first Earth Day was held in 1970. It was proposed as “a national teach-in” about the environment by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin and co-chair, Pete McCloskey, Congressman from California.  The goal was to get environmental protectionism on the national political agenda by harnessing young activist energies in the U.S. to increase environmental awareness.

The next Earth Day wasn’t held until 1990, mobilizing more than 200 million people in 141 countries. This April 22, more than one billion people are expected to participate, according to National Geographic.

April 22 was originally selected as the date for Earth Day in 1970 because it fell between colleges’ spring break and final exams.

April 22 is conservationist John Muir’s birthday and the National Park Service celebrates “Birthday-Earth Day”

UNESCO designated Indian poet Abhay Kumar’s “Earth Anthem” as Earth Day’s official song. 

The New England Organic Farmers of Vermont hold their annual Earth Day parade, “The Montpelier March”. Two huge puppets will lead the procession representing the sun and the rain as the group piggybacks with other non-profit environmental organizations in the state to celebrate organics and Earth Day.

Whole Foods Market plans a chain-wide, one-day sale on organic produce, offering its customers $5 off any purchase of $25 or more of organic produce. "Whole Foods Market is celebrating Earth Day with organic produce for its many environmental benefits," the company said in a statement. "Organic farming does not use environmentally harmful chemicals that may contaminate rain and groundwater; and this growing method replenishes and maintains healthy, fertile topsoil with rich biological matter, which limits erosion and impact on waterways.”

The Mushroom Council launched a mushroom sustainability quiz for Earth Day. Consumers who take the quiz receive a code and a link to pledge donations.  For every donation, the Council will donate an additional 25 cents to The Conservation Fund and donors receive a chance to a win a mushroom mini farm set and a $100 Whole Foods gift card.

To support Earth Month, Kroger introduced a new initiative -- Sustainability Lives Here. The website, www.sustainabilityliveshere.com , offers digital coupons for eco-friendly products, recipes and ideas about sustainability in the home.  It also offers a fruit and vegetable storage guide, freezing guidelines, and tips on how to “revive” produce and repurpose leftovers. 

Oregon Tilth is celebrating Earth Day with the announcement and rollout of its new certification partnership with The Xerces Society.  Bee Better, a new certification designed to encourage a pollinator-friendly approach to agriculture, will help meet consumer demand for increased transparency and environmental responsibility from food producers. Bee Better works with farmers to create nuanced and farm-appropriate plans—depending on location, soil type, climate, native plants and other factors—to protect and grow pollinator populations.  For more, please visit: https://igt.tilth.org/bee-better/.