The first Earth Day was 22 April 1970 when 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values. Earth Day founder was then U.S. Senator from Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson. Still now, as then 42 years later, our planet, our home is being neglected. Climate change continues unabated. It seems there's a new ecological disaster happening almost daily. This Earth Day it's time to mobilize the planet from the ground up to send a message that the Earth won't wait! Online social media makes it easier to connect with and mobilise across the globe.
As individuals we all have the power to do something to reduce our impact on the ecosystems of our home the planet. Whether you make a public pledge here to turn off unused appliances, plant trees, stop using plastic bags, become more informed about issues, eat local food, use only non toxic products for cleaning and gardening - all are some examples that will help the planet and ourselves.
Convincing our leaders and politicians to grow the political will necessary is the greatest challenge we face. We in Queensland I believe have the highest moral or ethical responsibilty to take action as our per person emissions are highest in the world.