Sunday, April 22, 2012

Happy Earth Day


There was a time, not so very long ago, when young people believed they could change the world. Idealism, a hope for honest government, peace in the world, a healthier planet – these were just some of the initiatives that directed the actions of teens and young people in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today we can thank them that we observe April 22 as Earth Day.



Young people wanted an entire relationship with the earth. They walked barefoot, wore flowers in their hair, lived at communes where they grew their own food. They were frustrated with the lack of government initiative towards cleaning up the environment and leniency with corporate polluters. They organized, protested and contributed to environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and by 1970, the Ecology Movement was in full swing. They were the first to promote biodegradable products and the use of natural ingredients in everything from fabrics to shampoo. They boycotted companies whose products polluted the environment; used animals for testing; were pro-war or very reactionary; or manufactured dangerous chemicals or weapons.

The National Environmental Policy Act was signed into law and on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was declared. This landmark event, involving 20 million people, raised awareness about how humans were treating the planet and ways to mitigate the impending dangers to the environment.
So while we're on the subject of how the activism of youth can change things, here are just a few more contributions from that generation:
--Pioneered numerous lifestyles and alternative businesses including communes, cooperatives, holistic medicine and health food, the back to the land movement, cooperative business enterprises, alternative energy, free press movement and organic farming.
-- Associated with participation in peace movements, including peace marches such as the USA marches on Washington and civil rights marches, and anti-Vietnam war demonstrations including the 1968 Democratic Convention. In four years, they managed to stop the Vietnam War.
--Questioned robot materialism.
--Contributed to the popularization of Indian food, especially curries and basmati rice. Asian foods like tofu and soybeans are now part of many healthy American diets. Whole grain bakeries all over the country now offer a variety of multigrain breads which are healthier than the traditional American white bread.
--Popularized the practice of eastern philosophy, yoga, Hare Krishna and got more in touch with their spiritual being. Today, yoga is totally mainstream!
There are many others, but we'll just leave it at these!

And here's a quote from one of the most hip guys of the 1960s:
“People today are still living off the table scraps of the sixties. They are still being passed around- the music and the ideas” - Bob Dylan (1992)
And the lyrics of a favorite song from that time:
Age of Aquarius
When the moon is in the Seventh House
 And Jupiter aligns with Mars
 Then peace will guide the planets
 And love will steer the stars 
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
 Age of Aquarius
 Aquarius! Aquarius! 
Harmony and understanding
 Sympathy and trust abounding
 No more falsehoods or derisions
 Golden living dreams of visions
 Mystic crystal revelation
 And the mind's true liberation
 Aquarius! Aquarius! 
When the moon is in the Seventh House
 And Jupiter aligns with Mars
 Then peace will guide the planets
 And love will steer the stars 
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
 Age of Aquarius
 Aquarius! Aquarius! 
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in
 Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
 The sun shine in

5 comments:

  1. Bravo! Thank you for this stunning reminder of the origins of a holiday that many take completely for granted...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Heather. I hope we will all stop taking our planet for granted, too, before it's too late! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Happy Earth day to you,have never heard of this day before?
    Maybe I am out of the loop!

    We are celebrating St George's day,and there are suggestions it should be part of the 1st asparagus day Mmmmmm not sure about that a tad early I think!! Had our first taste on Sunday was a bit tough,our weather is to blame the farmers said.

    Sorry Sanda going off topic.
    Think the new generation are taking up the banner. Ida

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    Replies
    1. We are even, Ida, because I'm not familiar with St. George's day. Is there really a day known as First Asparagus Day, or were you joking about that?

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  3. Thanks for bringing back all these memories. Remember well when Earth Day had its beginning but forgotten so many of the things it stood for. Wonderful article! Wish everyone was on board with taking care of our planet as its all we have and when its gone, its too late.

    ReplyDelete