March 20 is the International Earth Day, you may say isn’t Earth Day April 22? Well, yes there are two different Earth Days, The International Earth Day on March 20 and Earth Day on April 22. There are different origins and they both started about the same time.
I want to tell you about the March 20 observance of International Earth Day started in 1969 with the proposal to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and it was followed by an Earth Day Proclamation by the City. Then in 1971, at the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations) Conference in San Francisco John McConnell proposed International Earth Day and it was signed by U.N. Secretary General U Thant. To date, a total of 39 world leaders, such as, Yasir Arafat, Yehudi Menuhin, Cosmonaut Anatoli Berezevoi Margaret Mead, and John Gardner have signed leaving space for one more signature.
Margaret Mead wrote an Earth Day Essay featured by International News Service. She later with Frank Braynard and McConnell formed the
I found this quote by Margaret Mead, which I love tell us:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”
(Margaret Mead)
On 1974 McConnell, discussed his Earth Right proposal at the United Nations Raw Materials Conference his with Sheik Yamani of Saudi Arabia, and other leading delegates. McConnell later stated at the United Nations Church Center, “Underlying property rights and sovereignty rights is the fundamental right of every person on Earth to an equal share in Earth’s raw materials and natural resources.”
The Earth Charter written by McConnell was distributed in an illustrated poster in 1979.
“A world view, goal and agenda for the people of Earth that will provide a healthy, sustainable future.” (Earth Magna Charta 1995, McConnell)
"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure." (Earth Trustee Formula, International Earth Day Site)
Peace Bell at the U.N. will ring signaling a minute for global silent prayer and/or reflection, so we can remember we are one human family and remember we are trustees of the world on March 20 at 7:33 AM EST, the Spring Equinox and Palm Sunday. It is a day regardless religion or lack of, that you can celebrate by doing, a spring clean up anywhere that is needed, plant trees, shrubs, flowers or garden. Whether you do it on your own, or get a group together and do some large clean up. Let’s make the Earth a cleaner place for us, our children and our children’s children.
I as a Baha'i understand the concept of working together globally for the sake of our planet and our people.
For more information on the Baha’i Faith:Baha'i Links
International Day of Peace
UNESCO
The Institute for Intercultural Studies (Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson)
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