Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day, Earthlings!

This is the 46th year of celebrating Earth Day. 46 years ago people started to realize how our way of living was harming our environment. This was at a time when industry chugged away polluting our skies, rivers, lakes, and oceans without consequence. Leaded gas was pumped into cars. Oil spills were common and a river even caught fire! But it was also a time when young people were taking to the streets to protest the wrong they saw in their country and the world. There was an incredible energy put out by the youth for the Anti-War Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. Earth Day founder, Gaylord Nelson, then a democratic U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, saw this energy and used it to spread awareness of the environmental issues of the time.

The similarities of that time and now are frightening. But again, people are taking to the streets to protest war, fight for civil rights and environmental justice. The environmental movement got us the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act. That was great but so much more needs to be done. Now climate change is a huge threat to our planet and us. It is the most pressing issue of our time and we all need to do our part. Here are some things we can do today and always:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

When you throw your trash "away", it does not disappear. It goes to a landfill where it decomposes sending methane, carbon dioxide and toxins into our air, soil and water. Reducing waste is the best way to fight this. Using reusable bags, travel mugs, and water bottles cuts out plastic and paper waste that would sit in a landfill. Recycling that waste is the next best option. Find out what you can and can't recycle in NY. 

Compost

Composting is a form of recycling but for food scraps and plant waste. It's a biological process in which natural microorganisms break down organic matter. Check out our blog about composting! If you don't have space for a composter, there are locations around the city where you can take your organic waste. Check out GrowNYC to see where you can bring your compost waste.

Buy Local & Eat Seasonally

Buying locally grown food cuts down on carbon emissions needed to transport produce. Instead of strawberries in the winter, when they'd have to be shipped in from another part of the world, eat local strawberries when they are in season. They taste better when they're fresh and they have more nutritional value when eaten closer to the date they were picked. Living in NY, we have an endless amount of farmers markets throughout the city and many stores that partner with local farms. Many think that organic local produce is unaffordable, so many markets have worked with the city to be able to accept EBT/food stamps. Check out this map to find the closest market to you and what days they're open. 

Myrtle Avenue

Join a Community Garden

Many of us in the city don't have space for our own gardens. So many have come together as a community to make our neighborhoods and environment better. There are community gardens in almost every neighborhood. Community gardens are not only a place to grow food and plants but also a place to meet your neighbors and a platform for the community to share ideas for bettering our surroundings. Ever wanted to have a neighborhood cleanup? A community garden would be full of people interested in helping in that type of thing. Anyone can join, just reach out. Find the your closest garden here. 

Join an Environmental Group

Earth day is everyday.. because we live here. It needs our help more than just one day a year. If you want to get more involved find a group near you that is doing good things, and join! Here's a list to get you started. 

Hundreds Of Thousands Turn Out For People's Climate March In New York City

Demand Change in Environmental Policy

We all can do our own little part do help but there needs to be big changes made from the top. Our leaders need to feel pressure from the people that elect them. EPA regulations need to be strong and be enforced. Our energy sources need to become renewable and we need to get off of fossil fuels. We can't keep allowing corporations to ruin our environment for short term gains. In the long term, we will all lose. So VOTE! Sign petitions. Get out in the street and protest. Demand that changes be made. Do it for the kids. 

Today is Car Free Day NYC!

And hey, have fun! Yes, climate change is serious but helping the environment doesn't have to be. Go plant a tree with some friends! Go have fun with other New Yorkers and get talking about how we can all help! You can check out some Earth Day events around New York here.  

History of New Year's and It's Connection to Nature

In ancient history, the date of the first of the New Year has changed from culture to culture as they each developed their own calendars of the year. Many had to do with astrological events or change in season, which affected their livelihood; the crops. When humans had a solid connection to the Earth they celebrated the bounty which it provided.

Akitu and New Year's Eve

For some the New Year was celebrated in the springtime. The earliest celebration dates back to 4000 years ago in Babylon with a festival called Akitu, the Sumerian word for Barley, which was cut in the spring. It fell in March during the first full moon after the vernal equinox, which marks the first day of spring.

Around 3000 years ago, the Chinese New Year originated to celebrate the start of the spring planting season. Later it became entwined with folklore and myths. Today, the “Chinese New Year is still based on a lunar calendar that dates back to the second millennium BC, the holiday typically falls in late January or early February on the second new moon after the winter solstice”.

In Scotland, local traditions based around fire date back to pagan winter celebrations. Fire represents the return of the sun to the land.

In the US, we use the gregorian calendar and celebrate the first of January as the start of the New Year. The Gregorian calendar is a later version of the Roman calendar, with just 10 months, which used to follow lunar cycles. They celebrated the New Year during the vernal equinox in March. This 10 month calendar fell out of sync with the sun and two more months were added. January 1 became the start of the year.

The tradition of setting New Year's resolutions dates back to ancient times as well. Babylonians made promises to their gods to repay debts. Today, we reflect on the past year and think of how to better ourselves in the future. Hopefully, many resolve to, in some way, reconnect with our planet Earth, to which we owe our lives.

Source History.com