Energize yourself for Earth Day 1999

Renewable energy from the sun, wind and other sources will not only help the environment, but will save money, create jobs and protect human health, says the Earth Day Network

April 21, 1999
Web posted at: 11:50 AM EDT

Earth Day is Thursday and around the country events abound for those who wish to celebrate the planet and recognize the issues and problems facing our environment.

As a prelude to the Millennium, the Earth Day Network this week kicked off an international citizen movement aimed to generate "New Energy for a New Era.' Instead of a one-day celebration, the Earth Day 2000 campaign ushers in a yearlong movement filled with education and activism focusing on how energy is produced and used, and its impacts on human health, air, water, land use and wildlife. According to the Earth Day Network, the campaign will culminate in a fast-paced month of global telecasts, transcontinental town hall meetings and worldwide grassroots mobilization during April 2000.

"The month of April 2000 will provide an unprecedented showcase for the clean energy options available to individuals, businesses and the government," said former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day founder and currently a counselor of The Wilderness Society. "As tens of millions of people take action to support clean energy during Earth Month, the 'New Energy for a New Era' campaign will catapult us toward a clean and affordable energy future."

Throughout the next year, Earth Day Network is calling for international, national, local and personal energy choices that produce far less carbon dioxide pollution and zero radioactive waste. Renewable energy from the sun, wind and other sources will not only help the environment, but will also save money, create new jobs, and protect human health, says the Earth Day Network.

Earth Day was first established in 1970 by Senator Nelson. His objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake up the political arena. That first year, an estimated 20 million people participated in peaceful demonstrations all across the country.

In the same year, Congress established the EPA in response to growing concerns about unhealthy air, polluted rivers, unsafe drinking water, endangered species and waste disposal. Since then, Earth Day has blossomed around the United States and the rest of the world. The holiday has become a catalyst for environmental groups to promote their agendas and for others to contemplate responsible actions to preserve and protect the environment.

In addition to the Earth Day Clean Energy Agenda, events abound around the country for concerned citizens seeking to honor the planet. If you can't find events in your area, take a look at a few of these:

• The EPA will hold an Earth Day event Thursday at Underground Atlanta. EPA will be joined by several other environmental organizations including Campaign for a Prosperous Georgia, Georgia Conservancy, Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Pollution Prevention Assistance Division. EPA and the other exhibitors will distribute environmental literature, as well as flower and vegetable seeds free of charge to the public.
• The EPA is also hosting a Virtual Earth Day Exposition through May 30 in honor of its corporate partners who have demonstrated their commitment to the environment by meeting certain levels of energy-efficient upgrades. Visit the EPA's Virtual Exposition to see what these companies have done to improve the environment.
• ENERGYguide.com announced a contest which highlights the ability of every consumer to make a contribution to Earth Day by becoming more energy efficient. The contest is open to web site visitors during the month of April. By identifying ways to help reduce CO2 emissions, consumers can win energy-efficient products, including light bulbs, thermostats, fans, humidifiers and even lawn mowers. The grand prize is a $500 shopping spree.
• March for Parks events are happening all across the country during Earth Day weekend. Check with the National Parks and Conservation Association to sign up to create and run an event or to see if there is a March for Parks in your area.
• Joined together on the Internet, thousands of school children from 484 schools decorated more than 162,873 paper grocery bags to celebrate Earth Day 1998 and increase environmental awareness. These bags were passed out (filled with groceries) to shoppers at grocery stores on Earth Day. At the Earth Day Groceries Project site you can join in this year's project.
• PETE, the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, is sponsoring a national satellite downlink conference Friday on "Greening the Campus". This conference will highlight the fact that many college campuses are finding out both the environmental and economic benefits of implementing pollution prevention/energy efficiency programs and of increasing environmental awareness on campus.

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