Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inClimate Change, Earth Day, Green Cities, Henry David Thoreau, LadyBudd, NatureTags:, , , ,

April 22, 2020 will mark 50 years of Earth Day.

“I turned my face more exclusively than ever to the woods, where I was better known.”

Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Earth Day is 50 years Strong.

Today, April 22, 2020, the world celebrate Earth Day. This year’s theme is climate action, a challenge that requires all of our participation. The future of humanity, of every living thing on this planet and the life-support systems that make our world habitable is at risk.

Fifty years ago in 1970, the first Earth Day was the catalyst that generated positive action. We need to continue the momentum.

I am commemorating Earth Day with Henry David Thoreau. Please join me as I “go to the woods because I wish to live deliberately”

“22 April is Earth Day. While the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading around the world and dominating news headlines, thoughts and attention, the need to take climate action has remained as urgent as ever. UN Environment Programme

“April 22 is a timely reminder to embrace the opportunities of the natural world for green jobs, sustainable economic stimulus, for urgently taking action to protect ourselves against unsurvivable global heating and for securing healthy, dignified futures.” UN Environment Programme

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

25 thoughts on “Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years”

    1. Thank you, my dear friend. Your commitment to our world is displayed in your blogs, music, art, and creative spirit. For you, every day is earth day. You continue to inspire me.

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  3. How marvelous your imagery and choice of Henry David Thoreau as a perfection combination to mark a 50 years of Earth Day celebration. Being an ultimate optimist, for me is often difficulty, for years of living has also made a realist, consequently to encourage being mindful, I often take on the role of pointing out the need for awareness, watchful and protective if we are to our planet alive.
    Thus so, might you forgive me for unveiling the devil’s constant presence, in the following scribble, aka poem…

    “ Earthly Space ”
    – in a deadly race –

    Pending we find
    Be fated space,
    For we in time
    Evaporate,
    Past our assign
    At carnage rate,
    Thus be spent
    Oblivious of state,
    In desolate bent
    Of what we’ve left,
    In a deadly race,
    Too soon reduced
    To depleted place,
    Of carved out caves
    We’ll surely face,
    A dire need to stave
    Forces waiting hungrily,
    Held lowly knaves,
    Who’d greedily engage,
    Imperiling be earthly space,
    Albeit by then our grave!
    written in Grasse
    © Jean-Jacques Fournier
    February 10, 2004

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I agree wholeheartedly, Jean-Jacques. We MUST be vigilant, for we are at a pivotal time in the history of humanity. It is our survival that is imperiled. The earth will continue without us, as can be seen by nature coming into our empty streets. I just viewed a kangaroo leisurely hopping down the streets of Adelaide. And the atmosphere is showing signs of renewed health. We must consider that from now on, every day is earth day. Thank you for your words of poetry, which are a call to action. May we heed the message!

      “We’ll surely face,
      A dire need to stave
      Forces waiting hungrily,
      Held lowly knaves,
      Who’d greedily engage,
      Imperiling be earthly space,
      Albeit by then our grave!”

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I remember the first Earth Day very well. I was in ninth grade, and the entire school was loaded onto school buses and taken out into the country to pick up trash by the side of the road. We were so proud to do our part!

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    1. What an amazing memory, Liz. The beauty of education is that we are energized by exploring new ideas, knowledge, experiences. The principle and teachers of your school were proactive. They had great insight to document a specific day that would be remembered 50 years in the future. Brilliant!!!

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  6. Thank you for your message, the lovely video, the geese in the water, the pretty little white lilies, the bird flying and resting in the tree. I remember early in my life when the Nebraska countryside did not have many trees, only a few scrubby ones and the beautiful cedars in the local cemetery. During the 1930s. President Roosevelt started having trees planted in shelter belts to help with unemployment–and what a difference it made. Trees, not only give beauty but also give a sense of calm/ Again, thank you for this tribute to trees.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your memories about the Great Depression – here and on the Tea Toast & Trivia Podcast. You remind me that this time will pass – that working together brings hope, encouragement, as well as improving living standards. When I think of trees, I remember this “You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.” Max Ehrmann

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  7. Dear Clanmother
    A cheeky idea: The earth is celebrating her 50 years earth day with our isolation. So she has a great or at least a better time than before.
    Wishing you a great day. Big HUGs
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
    by the way, WP solved the problem with comments that didn’t appear under the post. Everything is fine again.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That was the first thought that came to mind – the earth celebrating as we learn to live in solitude. It will be interesting to see how human behavior will change, given this time of reflection. There are already signs of decreasing consumption, including fuel for cars. Will this behaviour continue after this time passes? The story continues to unfold. Take care my dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley. Hugs and love coming across the pond.

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  8. I had no idea Earth Day is 50!
    You video and the poem are wonderful. Rebecca, you really have a perfect voice for reciting poetry.
    It’s always a pleasure to listen to you, and this Earth Day poem reading is extra special!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Resa! So much has happened in the last 50 years, but time is of the essence. You have a marvelous way of walking this earth – just as Thich Nhat Hanh says so eloquently: “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”

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  9. Beautiful pictures as always!
    While the virus pandemic is a real tragedy for humans, it has good positive effect on Earth and climate.
    I think we could add that most people can also see how little they really need to be fine and enough with.
    maybe this will somehow decrease the over-consumption and consumerism? Maybe we will love how clean the air is without thousands of planes in it every minute?
    That just utopic, I think because the economy will always dominate over climate and health concerns.
    I hope you’ re safe and fine!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A very good point. As a global community, we have entered a period of solitude that has the potential to change the way we consume and transform our behaviours relating to how we live in the world. The question remains, when this time will pass, will we see the need to respond and look for ways to live holistically? I am using this time to reflect on my actions and behaviours. I do enjoy our conversations!

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