Draine: Earth Days offer double chances to cherish planet

By Cathie Draine | Thursday, March 15, 2007

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Periodically as I wallow in self-indulgent, somewhat shallow philosophical reveries, I wonder, “Why is it that ants figure out ways to live cooperatively for the common good, but the human animal seems to be driven to divisive, often destructive behaviors?”

Of course, the answer — that ants often kill and eat those who don’t behave — is discomforting, but you get the point. My mind made the leap from ants to spring — and there is a connection.

I like spring. I long for the chatter of the birds caroling nesting invitations. We admire sunsets that “look like spring.” The air is softer. We grin foolishly at a crocus in bloom. It’s a good time, happy, positive and encouraging. Everyone (if we lived cooperatively like ants) should be excited and united in the celebration of spring.

I prowled the Internet to check my facts on Earth Day and was embarrassed and surprised that I did not know that there are two Earth Days.

The International Earth Day, founded on March 21, 1970, by John McConnell, is observed by many people worldwide on the Spring Equinox. McConnell, a man of deep spiritual convictions, wrote in his “St. Francis and the Birth of Earth Day,” his Earth Day message in 2006, “Earth Day is on the March Equinox, which determines the annual date of Easter … the equinox is also the New Year in Iran and other Islamic countries, which makes possible attention for a common purpose — the sustainable care of Earth, with justice and peace for all. This (celebration) will help us show real love for our world neighbors and the web of life that covers our globe.”

He and his supporters, Earth Trustees, promote worldwide prayer for peace and the ringing of the Earth Bell at the United Nations.

Margaret Mead, noted scholar and anthropologist, commented at the International Earth Day ceremony at the UN in 1970: “Only in the last quarter of my life have I, like all those here, come to know what it means to be the custodians of the future of Earth … it was not until we saw the picture of Earth from the moon that we realized how small and helpless this planet is, something that we must hold in our arms and care for.

“Earth Day is to be the first completely international and universal holiday that the world has ever known. Every other holiday was tied to one place, or some political or special event. This day is tied to Earth itself, and to the place of Earth in the whole solar system.”

The other celebration, Earth Day as observed on April 22, was founded by Sen. Gaylord Nelson about 1962, as he said in an article in American Heritage Magazine, October 1993, because he was troubled “that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country.”

Within a decade, he and a growing number of advocates felt that they could “tap into the environmental concerns of the general public and infuse the student anti-war (Vietnam era) energy into the environmental cause, we could generate a demonstration that would force this issue onto the political agenda. It was a big gamble, but worth a try.”

The gamble paid off: growing numbers of people are environmentally active; schools, communities and organizations across the country promote programs and awareness of the need to care for the environment as a result of the programs begun by Nelson and his supporters.

What could be wrong with this? Shouldn’t everyone think this is grand? Aren’t we talking about the common good? Well, hmmm … the original, elegantly simple intent to cherish the Earth appears to be becoming an item in an organizational turf war.

In “Why the March Equinox (the International Earth Day) is the only true Earth Day,” Connell comments in a somewhat petulant tone, “The principal hindrance for (International) Earth Day to fulfill its potentials was initiated by the organizers of the “Environmental Teach-In” (a reference to Nelson and his supporters) when they announced that April 22 would be Earth Day.

“This group of individuals has used ‘Earth Day’ as a fundraising tool for their projects and political aims … It is my hope that in this new millennium of new beginnings the truth will get attention. It’s great to have different days for special things. There would be no problem if the organizers of the April 22 ‘Earth Day’ would call it by its original name ‘Environmental Teach-In’ or ‘Eco Day’ or any name other than Earth Day.”

So there it stands: The environmental groups will have their Earth Day programs across the country on April 22 and yes, surely there will be reusable grocery bags, T-shirts, bumper stickers and other items for sale. And yes, the movement has political and commercial as well as educational aspects.

Among the celebrations for International Earth Day is a birthday party to be held for 91-year-old McConnell and his wife in Laguna Beach, Calif., to honor their work for International Earth Day and other efforts for global understanding. Their organization has labored in its own way for peace between peoples, for caring toward the environment.

I am left counting crocuses, appreciating soft air, spring-colored sunsets and wondering again why and how what should be so simple and straightforward — being knowledgeable, caring custodians of our future on our earth — becomes so fractured and divisive.

And I start thinking again about ants.

Learn more

To read the full text of Sen. Gaylord Nelson’s comments and for additional links to environmental activities go to http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html.

For the history of International Earth Day and selections from essays and speeches as well as a listing of activities, go to www.earthsite.org/

Cathie Draine is a member of the South Dakota State University Co-operative Extension Master Gardeners and the Garden Writers’ Association. She lives and gardens in Black Hawk. She may be contacted at cathiedraine@rap.midco.net.