Earth Day 2018

From the cold coasts of Antarctica to the tropical forests on the equator, from the incredible depths of the Mariana Trench, to the dizzying peak of Everest, the Earth is inhabited by a wide variety of life forms.

Human being - the crown of the nature creation - over the centuries of evolution has become almost omnipotent and is now able to destroy or save life on the planet. He is free to choose, which means he is fully responsible for his choice.

For almost half a century on the spring equinox day, the whole world celebrates Earth Day - a day designed to remind the society of the fragility of biological, ecological and social balance on the planet, and the responsibility of everyone for its preservation. The date of March 20 is very symbolic, as it is commonly believed that it is from this day nature begins its awakening.

The whole world celebrates Earth Day on March 20, photo © Reuters Scand/ScanPix

Do not confuse the Earth Day, which is currently being discussed, with the Mother Earth Day. The latter is traditionally celebrated on April 22 and has an exclusively ecological focus. While Earth Day brings more universal and peacekeeping mission.

Officially, the date was approved in the distant 1970, but the history of the holiday begins even long before that. Some sources indicate that its "parent" was Julius Sterling Morton, an American politician who implemented a tree planting campaign in the state of Nebraska in the 1840s.

Julius Sterling Morton founded the Arbor Day in America, photo WEB

After 30 years, the initiative has so expanded its horizons that it has become a real social movement. Therefore, in 1872, Morton proposed the idea of approving a day dedicated to the planting of the planet. Obstacles to this were not found, and so in the United States came the Arbor Day, thanks to which million trees were planted throughout the country.

This went on until 1969. Then the American businessman John McConnell on the already popular "green" wave offered to organize a holiday in San Francisco that would encourage society to realize that the planet Earth is a common home for all people. People are responsible for all life around and for peaceful coexistence with each other. In late autumn, McConnell proposed his project at the UNESCO Forum on Environmental Problems. The idea was supported by the UN Secretary General and other world leaders, and in the spring of 1970 the Earth Day was born.

 

Arbor Day Foundation is the largest non-profit organization involved in planting trees, photo WEB

Now this day symbolizes the world movement in defense of the planet. On this day traditionally are held festivals, flash mobs and other events, both ecological and humanist. Their main goal is to make people think about their relationship with nature and with each other.

In many countries among all the events the most popular is the bell of the Peace Bell. Usually, it bells for only 60 seconds, during which everyone can think about the need to preserve peace, the friendship of peoples, the careful attitude to culture and the environment and what he personally can do to improve life on the planet. Or, at least, in your house, yard or city.

In many countries among all the events the most popular is the bell of the Peace Bell, photo WEB

The first Peace Bell cast long before the commemoration of Earth Day, as a tribute to those who died in Hiroshima. Later, the idea gained a more global dimension and was supported universally. Such bells are now in different parts of the world, and in 1998 the Russian Federation joined this movement.

Earth Day has even its own flag - a color image of the planet on a blue background - which was coined by the same McConnell. In the 97th year, cosmonaut Anatoly Berezovoy took several copies of the flag with him to the Mir station. Later they were donated to American and Russian museums.

Earth Day flag, photo WEB

Despite the global nature of the problems, Earth Day is a holiday for everyone, even the smallest person. This is an excuse to feel yourself a part of a huge whole, immense and beautiful, named the Planet Earth.

Victoria Romanova, Russia, Moscow

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