Happy Earth Day!!!!

Today is Earth Day! Actually, it is the 39^th anniversary of Earth Day. For those who do not know much about how Earth Day started, here is the story: Fred Dutton originally suggested the idea of Earth Day in a memo to President John F. Kennedy back in the early 1960′s. However, nothing was done at the time. Then, in 1969, there was a huge oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, upon seeing the spill, was so angered by what had happened that he went back to Washington and decided that April 22^nd would be Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Earth Day is now celebrated world-wide as awareness of global warming has spread, thanks to people such as Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore and many others.

Actually, the first book to be written that brought awareness to the reality that the use of synthetic pesticides damages the environment was Silent Spring which was published in 1962 by Rachel Carson. This book lead to the nationwide ban on DDT and other synthetic pesticides. The book was also the inspiration behind the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Goes to show you that one person can make a difference.

 

 

 

While researching for the topic of Earth Day, it came to my attention that some people feel that restrictions on pesticides create interference with economic freedom. I read many articles where some people really feel that being environmentally friendly is dangerous because it limits the opportunity to earn money. One article even stated that Silent Spring is one of the most harmful books of the 20^th century. How can a book showing that toxic chemicals are harmful…be harmful?

Being green is becoming more popular with each year. As you know, I am a big supporter of the environment and of being as green as possible. We take our planet for granted and are unaware that our actions really do have an impact on it. So I want to do my part to help spread awareness.

As you may recall, back in March, I had the opportunity to interview Renée Loux. I am happy to report that she now has a monthly column called Green Living with Renée Loux in Women’s Health Magazine where she writes about green products. This month she focuses on some very great eco-friendly exercise products which you can read about here . She also has a section in Women’s Health Magazine called Green Living Q + A with Renée Loux, where readers can ask Renée various questions on what they can do to help the environment. To read this month’s questions and answers, please click here.  

To do our part in keeping the planet happy, here is a list of some of the things we do at the Happy Lotus household:

• Use eco-friendly detergents like Seventh Generation dish soap etc.
• Recycle whatever our township allows
• Keep the water off while brushing teeth and soaping up in the shower
• Put our computers on stand-by when not in use during the day and off at night
• Turn off lights when not in use
• Use canvas reusable shopping bags when buying groceries
• Buy organic produce and products
• Use the Green Pan and stainless steel pots for cooking
• Use re-usable containers to store our food
• Use a website host that is 100% Powered by Certified Green Renewable Energy Sources – Host Papa
• Eat only vegetarian/vegan food (did you know that it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat?…It only takes 25 gallons for a pound of wheat. Check out this page for more information.)

For more advice regarding how to green your home, I highly recommend reading Easy Green Living by Renée Loux. It is the encyclopedia on going green.

Feel free to share what you do to help protect the environment!  

Happy Earth Day to you all!  

 

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