Earth Day

2012-04-22 17:14:58.000 – Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist

Undercast & Overcast

Today is Earth Day!

Earth Day originated back in 1970, when a senator from Wisconsin proposed a ‘national teach-in on the environment’ after bearing witness to an oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA in 1969.

On that first Earth Day back on April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans filled public streets and other venues to demonstrate for a stronger and more sustainable environment. The movement continued to grow from that day forward, until 1990, when it began to grow roots internationally.

On April 22, 1990, Earth Day brought out over 200 million individuals across 141 countries, which brought the issue of the environment to the forefront across the entire planet.

On April 22, 2000, the internet helped spread the word and organize activists across the globe. During this time, the subject of Global Warming was just beginning its step to the forefront, so a general movement for cleaner energy resources was amalgamated with the more conventional environmental issues of the past.

On April 22, 2010, Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, an increasingly apathetic public combined with impugners of climate change (which was all but scientific fact at this point) presented a myriad of challenges for Earth Day advocates. Nevertheless, Earth Day Network brought Earth Day back to center stage, bringing nearly 1/4 million individuals to the National Mall for a Climate Rally, and beginning an international 1-million tree-planting initiative with the help of James Cameron.

The issue of a clean and sustainable environment is an important one, considering Earth is not only our home, but a delicate home, and our ONLY home.

Here on Mt. Washington, part of MWO’s mission is to advance the understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. These natural systems are always in a delicate balance, and our increasing influence on the Earth can be used to reverse the unfortunate trend we’ve set since the dawn of the industrial age.

Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist