Using a refillable water bottle, bringing your own reusable grocery bags and turning off the water when brushing your teeth, are small, environmentally friendly acts that make a big difference. Throughout the month of April, thousands of people in the North Country, and millions worldwide, are getting together in support of the environment. There will be thousands of trees planted and an infinite number of pieces of litter cleaned up. April is the month that we are all reminded why we need to tread more lightly on the earth every day, not just on Earth Day.
April 22nd marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, what many consider to be the modern environmental movement. In 1970, millions of Americans took to the streets to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, factory pollution, pesticides and the loss of wilderness came to together as they realized they were all fighting for a common cause. Earth Day 1970 attracted political attention and led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
Twenty years later, Earth Day went global. Environmental leaders mobilized 200 hundred million people in 141 countries to lift environmental issues to the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide.
Since Earth Day 1990, each decade has marked the beginning of a new Earth Day campaign. Earth Day 2000 focused on global warming, clean energy and grassroots environmental activism. Earth Day 2010 marked the launch of the Earth Day Network’s ABillion Acts of Green. A Billion Acts of Green is an online network where environmental pledges can be made. Environmental pledges are statements like, “eat more local food,” and “wash clothing in cold water only.”
On Saturday, April 21st is The Mustard Seed Natural & Organic Food Store’s 6th annual Earth Day Event. The Mustard Seed’s Earth Day Event will feature local producers, local vendors and local health and wellness practitioners. The Mustard Seed will have in-store product demoing, free food samples, raffle prizes and various product samples available. They will have product specialists in-store from Amazing Grass, Vega, Ecco Bella, Gaia and Garden of Life. The deli is featuring a grass-fed beef BBQ with beef from Grindstone Island’s Mid-River Farm as well as other lunch specials.
New to the event this year is a focus on environmental education. Redwood’s Better Farm will be on-site helping with environmental sustainability education. Better Farm is a sustainability education center and artists' retreat facility founded on the principles of the Better Theory—a belief that every experience brings with it an opportunity for exponential personal growth. Better Farm will also be sponsoring a kid’s craft table that will be utilizing upcycled materials.
The Mustard Seed Natural & Organic Food Store is the North Country’s #1 source for natural and organic food, vitamin’s, supplements, bulk foods and herbs. The Mustard Seed is located at 969 Arsenal Street in Watertown. Their 6th annual Earth Day Event is on Saturday, April 21st from 10:00 – 5:00. Click here for a coupon redeemable during the Earth Day Event!
References
www.earthday.org
www.betterfarm.org
