Global Changemakers

(Note: Priya’s, aged 17 and a student , writer, journalist, artist, environmentalist, youth leader, role model and social worker, is a member of the Global Changemakers online community . We’re happy to publish her blog entry on Earth Day 2010. If you would like to submit a blog entry, please get in touch with me.)

April. 22, a day to celebrate the environment. The first Earth Day was organized in 1970 to promote the ideas of ecology, encourage respect for life on earth, and highlight growing concern over pollution of the soil, air, and water. Earth Day is now observed in 190 nations with outdoor performances, exhibits, street fairs, and television programs that focus on environmental issues.

Earth Day helps celebrate Earth’s unique place in the universe. It is the only planet in our solar system teeming with incredible biodiversity. Learning about and protecting this biodiversity is what Earth Day is all about. Each of us have a personal responsibility to respect, honor and maintain the individual spaces we share with the Earth. The Earth is our eternal partner, not just for our generations, but for future generations.  Sharing  Earth means taking responsibility for what we use and how we use it. It is a day to think of the environmental challenges we face and how to solve them. Protecting Earth is every person’s and every country’s responsibility.

When one species threatens to overpopulate, become a menace to the survival of other species, or creates a “breach” in the natural rhythm inherent in nature, thinning of the herd is a natural solution.

Our planet is in a crisis due to global warming, over population, and greed and laziness. What each of us chooses to do can and does effect the outcome of the survival of our species. If not for us, for the generations yet to come.

It is important to explain to your kids what Earth Day represents, and what you do as a family; not just one day, but every day can keep the environment free from further damage.

• Plant a tree in your yard.
• Recycle as much as you can.
• If age appropriate, have your kids walk or bike ride to school.
• When not at home, keep lights off.
• Make posters with your child and display them at school or at home.
• Ensure you are preserving water by checking leaky faucets.
• Conserve water by not leaving water on when brushing teeth.
• Limit time in the shower.
• Wash car less often.
• Replace filter in air conditioner often.
• When shopping at grocery store, use recyclable bags.
• Volunteer to help clean up your local park
• Teach kids how to grow plants and herbs
• Build a birdhouse in your backyard

By implementing these suggestions, you are teaching your kids energy conservation; recycling; increasing plant and tree growth; respect nature; save water; reduce toxins in the air; keep the environment clean; planting trees and flowers to increase oxygen; reduce air pollution; and love and respect all animals who inhabit the earth.

Imagine if everyone took the time to implement just one of these suggestions, we would truly be able to save what little we have left, and preserve this precious earth for our kids and generations to come. Teaching your kids the importance of Earth Day has become necessary to the future of our planet.

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. More than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day to save the planet.

- Priya

(Visit Earth Day 2010 here.)