Earth Day Wrap Up

Woo! Was it just me, or was that an awesome Earth Day? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_day) All of us here at Tee Hugger loved having the opportunity to let down our hair and go wild. Just like our pal the elephant. That guy is so wild, we gave him his own T-shirt. Well, it’s not a T-shirt for him. An elephant wearing a T-shirt would be preposterous. It’s a T-shirt for you featuring a picture of him, and those words that describe him best: “Born to be Wild.” (http://www.teehugger.com/Born_To_Be_Wild_p/thjs1052.htm) But even if you didn’t party with a pachyderm, there were still lots of great things that happened this Earth Day.

The Earth Day Network launched their Green Generation campaign—a two-year initiative that launched this year and will culminate on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. Wow, next year Earth Day turns the big four-oh. That is, assuming it doesn’t mysteriously turn thirty-nine again like some age conscious holidays might...

And don’t feel bad about crashing the Green Generation’s year-long party, they’ve invited everyone—“people of all ages and all nationalities, consumers who are committed to buying green; community leaders who are focused on greening their communities; parents and teachers who work to provide healthy foods and green schools for their children; those who work in green jobs; academics whose research is focused on innovative products and services; scientists and engineers who develop new green technologies; and governments that seek to implement policies and support research that will build a green economy and healthy population, and the religious community who are committed to a vision of a just, sustainable, green planet.” If that sounds like you, come on over and join the party at http://www.earthday.net/greengeneration

In the USA, the Obama administration used Earth Day to “sell the American public and key lawmakers on “green jobs” as the solution for the United States' environmental and economic woes.” According to the New York Times, “It has become increasingly clear that the administration's central theme—not to mention its pitch to key lawmakers—is that energy-related legislative priorities are based not only on environmental merits but on their ability to create jobs.” A greener Earth and a greener wallet for American workers? Well happy Earth Day to you too, Mr. Obama!

On a more local scale, the citizens of Newark, NY—a town that has long suffered as the butt of many a “horrible place to be” jokes—showed that they have what it takes to beautify their little corner of the planet this Earth Day. “Some 39,000 students from more than 70 schools in Newark took part in an Earth Day celebration organized by the student community and philanthropy organization the LEAGUE. Students around the city cleaned streets and parks around their schools and planted flowers. Some 2 million seeds were planted in gardens around the city on Wednesday. At Hawthorne Avenue School, students filled the street as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who lives across the street, pumped up the crowd.” See a great video of Newark going green for Earth Day here: http://www.nj.com/helpinghands/carlyrothman/index.ssf/2009/04/newark_students_plant_flowers.html

You don’t hear it very often in the middle of the year, but we think it’s appropriate to say it now—Happy holidays to you and yours from all of us here in the Tee Hugger family.