Earth Day
Published April 26, 2006
By the time you read this, Earth Day 2006 will be in the past. The original Earth Day occurs on the vernal Equinox, which in the Northern Hemisphere is the first day of spring. Many countries, as well as the United Nations, observe Earth Day on that date, normally around the 21st of March.
In Alberta, we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, a date favored by the American environmental movement in the early 1970's which also corresponds to Arbor Day. Selecting an April date is an acknowledgement of the climatic realities of this part of the world - outdoor activities can be pretty miserable in March - and outdoors is what Earth Day is all about. The City of Edmonton celebrates with a festival at Hawrelak Park featuring live music, games, speakers, dancing, and displays by local environmental and social justice groups. Here is the place to check out a solar array or learn about global warming or enjoy environmentally grown snacks.
It may seem pointless to be talking about this after the fact, but it does underline how easily this event can slip by and with it our concern about the world we live in. At the time Earth Day was proposed, environmentalism was a trendy pastime largely the interest of a few academics and idealists, usually politically left of centre and frequently unconcerned with practical matters. Now, in the 21st century, worry about the environment has become insistently mainstream whether we like it or not. Through drought and other radical climate changes, real people in Alberta are beginning to lose their investments and livelihoods. We may not have to face the doomsday scenario of New Yorkers watching their skyscrapers topple into a rising Atlantic Ocean, but the possibility that with all our oil, gas and money we may not have enough water or food to live here is no longer farfetched. Some of the folks reading this may live to experience that time.
Perhaps for once (and you'll not hear me say this very often) we should follow the lead of our neighbors to the West and as a community honor Earth Day with at least as much enthusiasm as we do other events during the year. After all, the beauty of our natural environment is a principal source of our pride and an important reason why so many folks wish to live here. Is it too much to devote one day of the year to its preservation?
Alan Dunn
Councillor, Ward 6
780-464-8206
dunn@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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