Earth Day 2025

April 22, 2025

Earth Day began on April 22, 1970 and was inspired by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. He saw the impact of industry on water and air and encouraged people to take action to protect our world.

Growing up in the 1960's and 70's I remember the "smog alert" days in Los Angeles, when the air quality was so bad children couldn't play outside. Bold vision and courageous action led the charge in making changes to improve all our lives.

In 1990 Voyager 1 sent back photographs of Earth from space. The photos taken from 3.7 BILLION miles away gave us a sense of awe when thinking of our place in the universe. That image inspired Carl Sagan to write, The Pale Blue Dot.

Now in 2025 Earth Day has become a meme.

Climate extremists who throw ketchup on priceless paintings or lie down on busy highways to block traffic, have become the face of the environmental movement. This was not the purpose of either Earth Day or the book, The Pale Blue Dot. So what was the purpose of creating a day such as this?

As I moved through my morning on April 22nd this year, I wished those I met a "Happy Earth Day" and was met with mild amusement or total bewilderment. In the afternoon I told the checker at the store I brought my own bag because "it's Earth Day." She didn't react. When I shut off my porch light early that evening, I noticed no one else did.

Instead of "holidays" that focus on one group, one religious practice, one segment of the society, why can't we rally around a day that celebrates something significant to us all. Why can't we all take one day out of the year to reflect on our planet and the personal impact each of us makes, both environmentally and socially.

Iconic naturalist John Denver was the voice of peace, respect, and unity for a world that needed leadership. His example of awareness and action should inspire us all. He dared to remind us to-

Let the Mountains speak Let the rivers run

Let the world awake to the rising sun

In each brand new day is our own rebirth

It is healing time here on planet Earth.

If Earth Day escaped you this year, put it on your calendar for 2026. Wear green to work and a flower in your hair or on your jacket. Say: Happy Earth Day! to people you meet. Use your OWN coffee mug at Starbucks, ask for a metal spoon not a plastic one. Use both sides of a sheet of paper. And on your way home, listen to John Denver music about the beauty of the world we inhabit. Every choice you make can contribute to "healing time."

Heaven knows the Earth could use it.