April 22, 2008 is Earth Day - an international day of observance of environmental issues. This day was first observed in North America on April 22,1970 to highlight environmental issues that the government seemed to be ignoring. Since then it has been adopted globally, with this year's event expected to be the biggest ever

The theme this year is "A Call for Climate" and there are thousands of events planned all across the globe. The events vary in nature, ranging from Sun-Earth Day planned by NASA to individual school and community events. Here is an example of some of the ways people are trying to make a difference.

  • NASA 's theme for it's Sun-Earth Day 2008 is "Space Weather Around the World" - a series of fun and interactive events to educate kids and adults about the Sun and its connection to the Earth and other Planets.
  • Tokyo's (Japan), theme is "Shift Green", a movement to promote alternative energy sources such as solar power, bio-diesel fuel and hydrogen. They will also be promoting organic food and the benefits of using re-usable containers.
  • Most states in the USA will be celebrating the day with a "Green Apple Festival" - family events where people can learn about what they can do to make a difference.

Besides these big events, most schools and local communities are planning to hold their own events to try make a difference:

  • In Shanghai, China the students of RBIS International School are planning to head to the Zoo on April 19th and educate the more than 8,000 people there, about the issues with plastic bags and also to encourage them to change to more environmentally friendly light bulbs. For more info check out their website at http://www.rbischina.org/elementary_home.html
  • In Florida, 850 students from Addison Elementary School will be decorating a grocery bag from the local Publix store with an Earth Day message. The bags will be used by Publix to fill groceries.
  • In Northern California, Edna Maguire a public elementary school is planning to release more than 120,000 ladybugs into their organic garden - to teach students about the benefits of ladybugs as natural predators as opposed to harmful pesticides. The school has an amazing organic garden which is utilized all year round for lessons in botany, agriculture, nutrition, food economics, environmental stewardship and just general healthy snacking.

Let us know how you, your community or school celebrated Earth Day and we will publish it for everyone to read. Remember every day is Earth Day so - reduce, reuse and recycle. We can all make a difference!