When was the first earth day
With earth day quickly approaching and our church preparing varying activities to celebrate, a thought crossed my mind, ‘When was the first earth day’? Digging deep into the archives (thank you Mr Google), an interesting story started to form.
The first earth day was a national movement started by US Senator Gaylord Nelson to bring about change in the laws and regulations governing corporations. Senator Nelson wasn’t getting the support needed from the government to protect the environment. So in April 1970, over twenty million Americans demonstrated in their cities and finally got the government’s attention. In December of that same year, a new federal agency was created to tackle environmental issues and bring about change – the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The agency has had many successes with introducing sound legislation like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and bringing opportunities to communities, to name a few. But there are still many uphill battles, mainly items such as tackling the climate crises.
How can I protect the planet?
It begs the question, what am I doing to protect the planet? How can I protect the planet? A few years back, when we finally got recycling operators in our area, I was excited to participate. But it got them thinking, that is only one thing, what else can I be doing? Here are some ideas for all of us.
- Support Green companies
- Choose products made from recycled materials or certified safer for the environment.
- Choose energy saver appliances; practice turning off appliances and lights when leaving a room. For companies, have auto-shut off times for lighting.
- When possible, carpool or take public transportation
- Purchasing a new vehicle? Opt for Green vehicles (vehicles that are more efficient and less polluting, i.e. electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles)
- Recycle to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills
- Reduce your household’s carbon footprint. To calculate your footprint, go here
- Reduce the amount of water used: fix leaks, turn off the tap while showering or brushing teeth, fully load dishwashers, fill basins with water to wash and rinse dishes, wash full loads of clothes.
- Reduce food waste
- Dispose of your appliances properly and responsibly.
What does the Bible say about earth day?
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Genesis 1:26
When we hear stories of awful rulers, we want to know that the ending of that story will be about justice. They were placed into a position of power to rule and, through their own actions, did an abysmal job of it. I wonder what our story will be like? God placed each of us on this planet to rule over His creation, but for many of us, our actions may be disappointing to God.
How can we change our story? Even as I write this, my first step is getting on my knees and begging God for forgiveness. I have been a poor ‘ruler’ of His creation. My lifestyle and habits have shown little regard to the protection of the environment. My choice of recycling is a small step in the right direction, but I know that there is so much more that I can do and should be doing.
How about you? What changes are you going to make?
Prayer
Father forgive me for I have sinned. You handed Your creation to me, and I have stood by, watched and participated in its destruction. Lord, in many cases, I have no power to stop what is happening, but I know that it isn’t my strength, but Yours that I should be leaning on. Teach me how You want me to protect Your planet. Teach me how to care for Your creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen