Okay. Why write about Earth Day 1997 when it won't take place until the third week in April? Because you might be one of those people, like a teacher, scout leader, or public outreach person (in industry), who needs to know about such things in advance so you can prepare to participate.
Earth Day, celebrated on a Saturday or Sunday around April 22, is a day on which Earth-lovers of all kinds get together to celebrate, what else, Earth Day. Here's an example. In New York City, the Earth Day festival in Manhattan takes place along several blocks that the city blocks off from traffic. There, along both sides of the street, all kinds of groups make peace for a day and exhibit their earthly wares and public information.
You've got your environmental groups, of course: the Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and so on. Then you've got your local power company, city sanitation department, telephone company, and a few other "We wanna be seen as green" companies. Not much industrial representation though.
You've got your food booths, too; all kinds of food. There are always a couple of groups selling something, maybe coffee beans or eco-wares of some kind. And you've got your button and tee shirt sellers. If the weather is nice, this festival is a nice way to spend an afternoon. Similar festivals of varying sizes take place elsewhere.
Some environmental groups around the country use Earth Day as a focus for tree plantings, stream and highway cleanups, or recycling. Some groups raise funds for environmental projects by holding Earth Day Runs and/or Walks. Others groups sponsor parades. Elementary school teachers use Earth Day as a theme around which to teach something about environment, perhaps recycling or protection of endangered species.
Earth Day was a big deal the first time it happened back in 1970. Then it petered out as the enthusiasm wore off. Fortunately, it's been revived over the past few years, particularly on its 20th anniversary in 1990. Maybe it isn't a really momentous thing as far as environment goes, but its a good thing because it lets Earth lovers express their concern alongside other Earth lovers and shows people they aren't alone in their concern. It also creates awareness. You can participate actively if you belong to an environmental organization or industry. Or, you can participate by visiting exhibit booths and by talking to people staffing the booths. Maybe just this one day will help you remember to love your environment all year.
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