“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”- John Muir
The picture above is from early this year, on a day hike through Bowen Island in Vancouver, Canada. Meanwhile, Happy Earth Day! Though much of the day is gone, continue to appreciate this planet we live on, with support and protection to its natural environments.
– Orion T
This Earth Day on April 22nd in 2017, hundreds of thousands of persons (at least) worldwide participated in the first March for Science. I was part of that, for.
I was part of this, for which I am proud. My stake is the desire for cleaner air and water, renewable clean energy, wildlife and nature conservation, end to reliance on oil, more funding in public education and access to educational public resources, a stronger pull with the science community in politics than corporate lobbyists, more critical thinking in public policy towards the cause/effect on environment and those living in affected areas, climate change monitoring and reports, an overall emphasis towards the betterment of humanity through science and the continued pursuit of knowledge from our world leaders. Also, I feel troubled with the current Commander in Chief’s statements and actions in Congress on the many science-related issues that concern me.
For Seattle, there was rain and a gloomy sky, for which was nothing yet notable for the chill atmosphere provided. Many showed up at Cal Anderson Park in the Capitol Hill district, where the Science March began. The journey continued through the Downtown area, through Belltown, and by the Space Needle in the Seattle Center. Such was a much shorter march, compared to the record-breaking Woman’s March back in January; yet notable and attention-getting in current headlines.
Here below, are some unedited pictures from the March of Science in Seattle, giving a small portion of the overall grandness, for which I hope will have lasting effects in the years to come for our ever troubled planet.
– Orion T
Happy Earth Day!
And so goes all the good messages about planting trees, recycling, putting some extra through on how we converse resources. This is not much to ask for the many of us busy with work, or preoccupied with some studies and big crazy projects.
Yet, here we are again. And sometimes, it’s the little things we don’t appreciate. Like these trees that I felt fortunate to walk among in this big downtown city. Now, the Spring is full-grown, and the leaves are plenty enough to block out much of the continued development that sprouts from the grounds of this Emerald City. I smile a little more on this Earth Day, to see the efforts of this co-existence of nature and industrialization in the high-paced working world. There are ecological benefits to our longer-term survival with this continued push for nature through our cities. I would like to think having more trees helps reduce the effects of city pollution and smog. The shade also helps to bring down mental stress, I think.
So, today I spread the light on our public parks, and emphasize the importance of increasing planted trees in our modernized civilizations. We continue to push forward, plant more trees and bushes; all great action in the right directions. This continual rebirth of local nature is helpful to our environment and futures, in more ways than we can see. But, sometimes to take in the sights of a well-developed park..is enough to appreciate.
The pictures below are of the Pioneer Square area of Downtown Seattle; taken days ago with a cheaper point and shoot camera. However, today has small outbursts of sun and shine throughout the Pioneer Square. The leaves are just as nice to look at and through, on this lovely Earth Day. If you are nearby some earthly sights, take time out and appreciate..
– Orion T
Hello earthlings, Happy Earth Day!
Why do we need a day to appreciate something we have everyday? Why not make everyday Earth Day?
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. We forget. Many of us are busy, with other things to do and worry about. So, here we are today with this blog entry, as many other media outlets are also making it happen. Hopefully, you are making the best of Earth Day by at least acknowledging its existence. Then, we can go from there..
How about some history? We are in Earth Day’s 43rd year, since its founding in 1969. Early that year, Vietnam protests were still the rage, and a terrible oil spill happened in Santa Barbara, California. Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin Democrat visited the disaster and promoted the idea for Earth Day. Rallies and follow-ups led to the first Earth Day in 1970, April 22nd. The day of choice was simply a good day decided by Nelson, not falling on any particular holiday and a time thought free from college spring breaks or exams.
A bit confusing was the founding of another Earth Day in the same year by peace activist, John McConnell; also proposed in the previous year. That day, founded on his own religious beliefs that mankind was the assigned caretaker of Earth, and had a duty to preserve it. McConnell proposed a global holiday to celebrate Earth’s life and prospects of world peace. That day fell on March 21, 1970; the first day of the Spring Equinox.
Throughout the years, both Earth Days coexist and celebrated in their own special ways. However, the Equinox Earth Day became recognized as more a day of peace and relief from disaster and war; while the other became more of a day of awareness and signal for environmental activism. Global promotions built this Earth Day into what it is now: raising issues on climate change, energy conversation and the preservation of natural environments and wildlife. This day, I think for its active efforts, became more known as the Earth Day.
So, what does one do on Earth Day? I believe, we should continue to heighten awareness and influence ourselves towards our planet’s preservation. Spread the message, by promoting and sharing awareness in our networks, in social online or in person through casual conversation. Perhaps, discuss some ideas and efforts that work, and other concepts and happenings that harm.
I personally believe we should continue to seek alternative, cleaner, renewable resources for energy and production. We should also keep in mind, as the growing problem of consumption as our world population grows, now estimated over the 7 billion mark. This reached twice over since the 1960’s. According to the United Nations and the U.S Census Bureau reports, we are expected to reach over 10 billion by 2050. Waste and the global altering effects of mass production will become a growing problem, if proper solutions are not found.
For motivation, let us also keep in mind what we are protecting; not just our lifeline, but the condition of our planet. Appreciate Earth’s natural settings, and observe various life cycles around you and afar. Below is a great TED talk, sharing special observations of our planet’s beauty and wonder, though one man’s dedication and display.
TRAVELING ORION 