Earth Day / 40th - Generations Celebrate

The 40th Anniversary celebration of Earth Day was an opportunity for generations around the world to gather together - celebrating progress made and acknowledging challenges ahead.

The Earth Day Network - founded at the first Earth Day in 1970 - reports that over 1.5 billion people took part in worldwide celebrations, marches for increased awareness and action on such vital issues as cleaner air and water, concerts and seminars. Events on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. started on the Global Earth Day (22/4) and will culminate in a massive Rally For Climate Change Legislation - 25/4.

New Yorkers - and visitors to the city - made Times Square their focal point. Canada - long respected as a leader in promoting greater awareness of Earth Day and environmental issues - sponsored tree plantings, tyre recycling and cleanups that extend to the United Nations Earth Day in May. In London, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority developed Community Programmes and plantings of trees and shrubs in the countryside. AVEDA - a company long known and well loved for promoting and supporting environmental awareness - held Earth Day tie-in events in the United Kingdom.  Bostonians used their bucolic Common as the perfect backdrop on a lovely spring day.

In Europe, events ranged from an Arts Fair in Paris, to music in Ireland and a youth campaign to refrain from cell phone use in Italy. Central America saw a variety of observations in Brasil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Argentina, Guatemala and other nations. Asia action included Thailand, India, the Philippines and Pakistan.

While great progress has been made since the inception of Earth Day 40 years ago, the challenges to the planet of overpopulation, preservation and restoration of species and habitats and protecting and sustaining the quality of land, air and water will remain on the horizon into the future.