During the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, the
iconic Earthrise image was taken by astronaut William Anders. In many
ways this was part of the environmental movement that inspired Earth
Day. (Credit: NASA)
The United States President Barak Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a statement recently that both sides will sign the Paris climate agreement on April 22nd, (Earth Day) 2016. This imminent agreement marks what could be the most important Earth Day in history. In addition, in a lead up to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020, the Earth Day Network has pledged to plant 7.8 billion trees worldwide to account for every single person living on Earth.
As a sign of solidarity and in an attempt to gain quick momentum, the United States and China will sign the agreement at the official signing ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in New York on April 22 . Both leaders hope signing the climate agreement early will provide the push the agreement needs to obtain the required 55 countries accounting for a minimum of 55% of global emissions.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Paris Climate Agreement On Earth Day: April 22, 2016
The Paris climate agreement negotiated at the end of 2015 laid the framework for attempting to keep global temperatures from rising above 2°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in their most recent assessment noted “widespread and consequential” impacts seen from climate change to date. Overwhelming evidence points to human driven greenhouse gas emissions as the primary driver of the observed warming in the recent centuries.
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At the end of 2015, 188 countries had published
their action plan to combat rising global temperatures and the rippling
affects that follow. The Paris agreement asks for concrete and scaling
contributions from each country to lower emission targets in the coming
years to decades.
The agreement will set aside $100 billion in funds to be raised each
year from 2020 to help finance projects aimed at curbing climate change.
Funding has been a key difference in principles between developed and
developing countries, with developing countries arguing that they should
not bear the same burden as developed countries. The agreement outlined
common but unequal responsibilities in tackling climate change, linked
largely to the country’s wealth and past emissions.
The agreement takes effect when at least 55 countries that represent at least 55% of emissions have joined the agreement. To encourage your leaders to sign the Paris agreement on Earth Day 2016, head over to this petition where you can add your name to an ever-growing petition.
History of Earth Day
In the 1970’s there was an emerging realization that our planet needed help. To increase awareness of environmental issues facing Earth, a special day was created to dedicate educating the public. April 22 was chosen because University campuses were in session, the weather is traditionally temperate and finals exams were somewhere in the future.
John McConnell was the first to propose an Earth Day concept, but it
was Senator Gaylord Nelson a democrat from Wisconsin who was
instrumental in raising awareness about protecting the environment. On
April 22, 1970, rallies were held in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC and Los Angeles as well as numerous college campuses across the country.
The mission of Earth Day was formally established by the Earth Society Foundation in 1976. Its mission was:
In 1990 a group of environmental awareness leaders tasked Denis Hayes to take Earth Day global. Two hundred million people in 141 countries brought worldwide environmental issues to light. A decade later global warming was the highlighted issue. Earth Day 2000 featured 5000 environmental groups in 184 countries that connected with hundreds of millions of people using the blossoming internet.
Link Between Global Temperatures And Greenhouse Gas Emissions
There is significant and substantial evidence that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses including carbon dioxide are correlated with global temperatures. The reasoning is fairly simple as greenhouse gases act to trap in heat that bounces off the Earth’s surface and prohibits it from escaping our atmosphere. The greenhouse gases change the equilibrium of heat exchange between the Earth and Sun. However, linking global climate change to one single source can often times be difficult and inconclusive. This, in a large part, is why it has taken climate scientists decades to determine with almost definiteness that the warming of the Earth we are witnessing is linked to greenhouse gas emissions in recent centuries.
As global temperatures rise, the sea levels also rise from melting of glaciers and polar ice. The oceans of the world absorb about a large majority of the greenhouse gasses emitted into the air through carbon dioxide dissolution and the carbonate factory. In addition, the pH of the ocean water is becoming more acidic from the increased carbon dioxide and hence carbonic acid in oceans. Warming and increasing acidity of our oceans is reflected directly on ocean life and as scuba divers know, the extensive coral reef ecosystems in tropical oceans.
Earth Day 2016 Activities
In recent years, Earth Day has been a celebration of nature. Many areas feature fairs and expositions featuring the outdoors through speakers, plants, animals, art and science. These venues give families an opportunity to discuss the impact of the environment on their lives.
A unique way to celebrate recycling and support Earth Day 2016 is an Ecolution fashion show; featuring runway fashion using recycled and reused materials. Other Earth Day celebrations feature farm to table dining. Alice Waters WAT +0.68% of Chez Panisse in Berkeley has been instrumental in spreading the farm to table movement. She also founded the Edible Schoolyard project in which she sets up and encourages programs for school age children to have the opportunity to grow food in the neglected schoolyards turning them into gardens for educational as well as nourishment. Many of the youth in America only know that food comes from the grocery store, unaware of its relationship to the earth. Ron Finley, who gave an excellent TED talk below, is a proponent of gardening and healthy eating in low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles. He provides education, training, and help in food deserts around Los Angeles.
Botanic gardens are natural resources for Earth Day events, since
every day is earth day there. The focuses of botanic gardens vary from
pure display to educational and opportunities to enjoy nature. Master
gardening programs allow interested adults an opportunity to enhance
their plant knowledge. They often serve as tour guides, thus share their
enthusiasm for the environment and plants. Children’s programs are a
wonderful way to get families involved in gardening. Kids love the
opportunity to get dirty and wet, so it’s not hard to provide programs
that do both. There are bird watching and identification programs at
gardens, since the birds are naturally attracted to the large variety of
plants and flowers. There are often birdhouses and feeders placed in
the outdoor spaces of a garden to attract as well as nourish birds. I
encourage you to reach out to your local botanic garden and ask what
events they have planned for Earth Day this year.
By the end of April, many gardens are in full bloom and in cold climates; gardens are a celebration of spring. After bleak winter weather, we are anxious to be outside and surrounded by lush plantings. Botanic gardens also offer educational programs for adults often in flower arranging or maybe lectures on garden design. Zoos also offer educational programs for patrons as a way to connect with nature through the animal world.
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd, 2016 and take the day to make a difference in your local community. Whether it’s helping to plant a few trees, volunteering at a local botanic garden, or petitioning your government to take action on climate change, you will be part of a billion strong making sure we leave this planet as beautiful when the day we were born as the day we die.
The global annual average temperature over
time measured on land and over oceans. Red bars denote temperatures that
are above and blue bars indicate temperatures that are below the
1901-2000 average temperature. The black line overlaid on the graph
tracks the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in parts per million
over time. (Credit: NOAA)
The agreement takes effect when at least 55 countries that represent at least 55% of emissions have joined the agreement. To encourage your leaders to sign the Paris agreement on Earth Day 2016, head over to this petition where you can add your name to an ever-growing petition.
History of Earth Day
In the 1970’s there was an emerging realization that our planet needed help. To increase awareness of environmental issues facing Earth, a special day was created to dedicate educating the public. April 22 was chosen because University campuses were in session, the weather is traditionally temperate and finals exams were somewhere in the future.
New York Times cover for Earth Day on April 22, 1970. (Credit: pps.org)
The mission of Earth Day was formally established by the Earth Society Foundation in 1976. Its mission was:
“Conduct educational programs and seminars and promote research and investigation throughout the world for the purpose of providing data to all individuals and institutions who are joining in the movement to promote and implement the Earth care ethic: namely, that the stewardship and care of earth requires action to produce and use materials and services that help nurture, conserve and recycle, without destructive pollution, the organisms and nutrients of Earth’s web of life. Coordinate or assist the work of like-minded organizations for the purposes of minimizing unnecessary duplication of energies and maximizing the impact and effectiveness of the earth care movement.”Through awareness triggered by Earth Day, the United States government was pushed to enact many environmental acts. Enacted were the Clean Air Act, Water Quality Improvement Act, Endangered Species Act, Toxic Substance Control as well as Surface Mine and Reclamation Act.
In 1990 a group of environmental awareness leaders tasked Denis Hayes to take Earth Day global. Two hundred million people in 141 countries brought worldwide environmental issues to light. A decade later global warming was the highlighted issue. Earth Day 2000 featured 5000 environmental groups in 184 countries that connected with hundreds of millions of people using the blossoming internet.
Link Between Global Temperatures And Greenhouse Gas Emissions
There is significant and substantial evidence that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses including carbon dioxide are correlated with global temperatures. The reasoning is fairly simple as greenhouse gases act to trap in heat that bounces off the Earth’s surface and prohibits it from escaping our atmosphere. The greenhouse gases change the equilibrium of heat exchange between the Earth and Sun. However, linking global climate change to one single source can often times be difficult and inconclusive. This, in a large part, is why it has taken climate scientists decades to determine with almost definiteness that the warming of the Earth we are witnessing is linked to greenhouse gas emissions in recent centuries.
As global temperatures rise, the sea levels also rise from melting of glaciers and polar ice. The oceans of the world absorb about a large majority of the greenhouse gasses emitted into the air through carbon dioxide dissolution and the carbonate factory. In addition, the pH of the ocean water is becoming more acidic from the increased carbon dioxide and hence carbonic acid in oceans. Warming and increasing acidity of our oceans is reflected directly on ocean life and as scuba divers know, the extensive coral reef ecosystems in tropical oceans.
Earth Day 2016 Activities
In recent years, Earth Day has been a celebration of nature. Many areas feature fairs and expositions featuring the outdoors through speakers, plants, animals, art and science. These venues give families an opportunity to discuss the impact of the environment on their lives.
A unique way to celebrate recycling and support Earth Day 2016 is an Ecolution fashion show; featuring runway fashion using recycled and reused materials. Other Earth Day celebrations feature farm to table dining. Alice Waters WAT +0.68% of Chez Panisse in Berkeley has been instrumental in spreading the farm to table movement. She also founded the Edible Schoolyard project in which she sets up and encourages programs for school age children to have the opportunity to grow food in the neglected schoolyards turning them into gardens for educational as well as nourishment. Many of the youth in America only know that food comes from the grocery store, unaware of its relationship to the earth. Ron Finley, who gave an excellent TED talk below, is a proponent of gardening and healthy eating in low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles. He provides education, training, and help in food deserts around Los Angeles.
By the end of April, many gardens are in full bloom and in cold climates; gardens are a celebration of spring. After bleak winter weather, we are anxious to be outside and surrounded by lush plantings. Botanic gardens also offer educational programs for adults often in flower arranging or maybe lectures on garden design. Zoos also offer educational programs for patrons as a way to connect with nature through the animal world.
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd, 2016 and take the day to make a difference in your local community. Whether it’s helping to plant a few trees, volunteering at a local botanic garden, or petitioning your government to take action on climate change, you will be part of a billion strong making sure we leave this planet as beautiful when the day we were born as the day we die.
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