Honduras RPCV Chris Nytch writes about Earth Day
Getting Ready for Earth Day Around the World
(Editor's note: The following came to us via Chris Nytch, who works in Washington, DC for the Earth Day Foundation, and who is a CRHS graduate and son of Al and Joanne Nytch of Durham. Readers may remember articles about Chris' experience in the Peace Corps in Honduras.)
Earth Day is less than two weeks away! On and around April 22, millions of people all over the planet will engage in actions to celebrate our environment and call for greater responsibility in protecting it.
Owned by no one and open to everyone, Earth Day is a chance for ordinary people to create an extraordinary effect. Standing together, we are a very strong force, and our actions can send a powerful message to leaders and people on every continent: our children need protection! To protect them, we must protect our environment.
Here are just a few of the things being planned for earth day this year: In China, hundreds of school children will come together in a special two-day event focusing on children's health. The event, to be held in the Sony Entertainment Park in Beijing, will feature exhibits and interactive demonstrations on air and water issues facing the country. Two films will be shown, including an Earth Day film on water, which will also be broadcast nationally, reaching millions of people across China. For more information, contact Global Village of Beijing at gvb@public3.bta.net.cn.
In Israel, Earth Day Network will hold a conference to bring together groups from a diversity of backgrounds, including Jewish-Israelis, Arab-Israelis, Druids, Bedouins and other groups. The conference aims to combat fractionalization of the environmental movement in Israel and create a platform for future cooperation and diversification—leading to an environmental movement that is both more reflective of Israeli society and more effective at protecting the nation's environment. For more information, please contact Jonah Schein at schein@earthday.net.
In Turkey, students from ten schools in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul will take part in an Earth Day Parade. The students will wear special costumes and banners as they move in procession through Taksim Square, the most crowded shopping area in Istanbul. The children's costumes will represent trees, flowers, birds, butterflies, rivers, lakes, the sky and soil. A group of children will also pose questions to the Istanbul Water and Sanitation Administration. For more information, contact Denitsa Dobreva at dobreva@earthday.net.
In Nigeria , a Nigeria Earth Day Train will run through 36 states and highlight critical environmental issues along the way. For more information, contact African Environmental Action Network at vafodeke@yahoo.com.
In Mexico, children aged seven to 18 will take part in a special Earth Day camp, where they will come together in workshops, presentations, games and hikes through the rainforest. For more information, contact Asociacion de Scouts de Mexico at eacosta@cablered.net.mx or efraimacosta@hotmail.com.
All actions are important on Earth Day. Whether you take action alone or whether you bring together people from your community, we are grateful for your contribution, and we thank you for being part of this amazing movement. For information and materials related to organizing an event for this Earth Day, visit our resources page, at www.earthday.net/resources/2005materials/default.aspx, or contact me directly at nytch@earthday.net.
A bit closer to home, ECO (Environmental Coginchaug Organization) sponsored an Earth Day art grocery bag activity at Korn School on April 11. The bags will be taken to Durham Market where they will be used by lucky customers. ECO is also sponsoring a Hunger Awareness Banquet on April 28, as hunger is often a companion of degraded environments. All proceeds from the banquet, which begins at 6PM and is open to the public, are split between Oxfam and the Connecticut Food Bank. ECO is also collecting change next week and sponsoring an Earth birthday party in order to be able to contribute to the adopt-an-acre program for saving tropical rain forests.
What are you doing for Earth Day 2005? Please email your plans to international@earthday.net or register them online at www.earthday.net/_groups/Login.aspx. Your work is important to Earth Day, and we hope to hear from you soon!
Our best wishes,
The International Team, EDN
About Earth Day Network: Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Their mission is to build broad-based citizen support for sound, workable and effective environmental and sustainable development policies for all.
Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect, interact and impact their communities, and create positive change in local, national and global policies. EDN's international network reaches over 12,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program is in touch with over 3,000 groups and over 85,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. As a result, Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in our campaigns every year.
For more information about Earth Day Network, visit www.earthday.net. Earth Day: Every Day for Everybody.
