As you may or may not know we’re in the middle of our famous Earth Day Sale with up to 70% off loads of locally produced sustainable self care on offer. But what’s the inside scoop? How did all this planet friendly day dedication business begin? Surely every day on Earth is Earth Day? All these completely valid and not silly questions will be answered in good time.
To begin, in an incredibly brief nutshell, the 22nd of April – Earth Day – is all about focusing on making the world a better place through global environmental action. It’s been going strong for 55 years now. This year’s theme is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ and is all about encouraging renewable energy solutions and binning off damaging fossil fuels. Nice. The story behind the day however has an unexpected darkness to it. It’s a real life fable, warning us to take action.
Let’s dive in.
What kicked off Earth Day?
Much as the NHS was created after World War II, Earth Day – a day dedicated to peace and environmental harmony – was unfortunately inspired by a dark historical event.
On January 28th, 1969, Union Oil caused a gigantic oil spill – 11 million litres – that killed more than 10,000 dolphins, seals, sea lions and seabirds off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. Environmental activists were called upon to help curtail the devastating effects of this horrific incident.
It became incredibly clear that much better environmental regulation and global education was needed to stop catastrophic incidents like this from occurring. Potentially irreversible global destruction was on the horizon if not.
It was said that Senator Nelson, who ultimately hired activist Denis Hayes to be the national coordinator of Earth Day, did so after seeing an 800-square-mile oil slick from an aeroplane in the Santa Barbara Channel – quite a colossal mistake to learn from.
The Creation of Earth Day and the Declaration of Environmental Rights
Peace Activist John McConnell proposed a day to ‘honour the earth and the concept of peace’ to UNESCO in 1969. Over a year later on the 22nd of April 1970, the first official Earth Day was recognised.
It was originally going to be held on the first day of spring – which in the Northern Hemisphere is March 21st – but was changed to April 22nd. It’s not clear why, however we like to think perhaps it was because by then, spring would be in full bloom and what we love about the earth would be clear for all to see – like these lil frogs I mean come onnnn how can you not be dazzled!
But Earth Day wasn’t the only good thing that was borne from the profound darkness of the oil spill. On January 28, 1970, the Declaration of Environmental Rights – written by Rod Nash during a boat trip across the Santa Barbara Channel – was read for the first time.
The principles of this declaration are as follows:
- We must redefine “progress” toward an emphasis on long‐term quality rather than immediate quantity.
- We need an ecological consciousness that recognises man as a member, not master, of the community of living things sharing his environment
- We must extend ethics beyond social relations to govern man’s contact with all life forms and with the environment itself.
- We need a renewed idea of community which will shape urban environments that serve the full range of human needs.
- We must find the courage to take upon ourselves as individuals responsibility for the welfare of the whole environment, treating our own back yards as if they were the world and the world as if it were our back yard.
- We must develop the vision to see that in regard to the natural world private and corporate ownership should be so limited as to preserve the interest of society and the integrity of the environment.
- We need greater awareness of our enormous powers on the fragility of the earth, and the consequent responsibility of men and governments for its preservation.
How can I help this Earth Day?
When it comes to looking after the planet, and working towards a better, greener, more peaceful future, every little helps.
Changing your routine is a great place to start. Right now, our Earth Day Sale is in full swing and will continue to swing until the 4th of May – so you’ve plenty of time to get up to 70% off loads of locally produced sustainable self care products, from skincare & haircare to aromatherapy & shave kits, and everything in between.
Reduce plastic waste, cancel out transport emissions, banish nasty chemicals from our water systems – it’s all possible with our locally produced, affordable and naturally kind range of planet friendly products.
What’s more, every purchase you make, no matter how small, goes towards tree planting projects and global renewable energy schemes managed by Ecologi – so you can feel good inside and out, all year long!
Happy Earth Day Earthling x
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Love, grüum.
