Earth Day 2016 is the Most Hopeful Ever

This is an Earth Day unlike any that have preceded it. After almost five decades of grass roots activism, the festivities in 2016 finally have something to celebrate. This year we are driving a stake into the heart of climate pessimism. We are challenging those that doubt our resolve and we are breathing hope into a new climate narrative. 

We are seeing tremendous momentum in renewable energy and corporate sustainability. There is clear evidence that the fossil fuel industry is in decline. The Paris Climate Agreement offers the strongest reason yet to be optimistic this Earth Day. For the first time in history the human race has come together to collectively resolve to take on the greatest threat modern humans have ever known.

The Crucial Significance of Earth Day and Grassroots Environmentalism

April 22, is Earth Day, this annual flagship event has achieved a great deal in the last 44 years. In the US and around the world, Earth Day leads the way on issues associated with environmental advocacy. Earth Day not only raises awareness, it encourages people to act in defense of planetary ecology and local environmental issues throughout the year.

Event - 2014 Edison Earth Day Celebration

The 2014 Edison Earth Day celebration will take place on April 27, 2014, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal Boulevard Edison, NJ. This free, annual, family-friendly, green/sustainable, public event in honor of Earth Day. This celebration is co-presented by the Township of Edison, Edison Clean Communities Program; Edison Township Environmental Commission (ETEC) and the Edison Sustainable Jersey Green Team (ESJGT). Activities include: Volunteer plantings, site cleaning and organic debris consolidation, as well as a variety of other green/sustainable activities; Test America environmental testing; Central Jersey Bicycle Association (CJBA) Bike Ride.

Toshiba's Greenwash Fiasco

Toshiba is a great example of a company that is vulnerable to accusations of Greenwash. While they produce highly efficient LED lights and have committed to reducing their carbon footprint, there are other aspects of the company's operations that are questionable.

In 2007, Toshiba Corporation established its Environmental Vision 2050, which is the company's long-term commitment to contribute to a better environment by recognizing and responding to environmental issues. Part of this initiative involves improving the value and eco-efficiency of its products and business processes and to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by the equivalent of 57.6 million tons per year in FY2025 compared with FY2000, while concurrently working to enhance its environmental efficiency.

The Business of Earth Day Greenwashing

Just because you paint an oil rig green does not make it environmentally friendly. Businesses have cashed in on the popularity of Earth Day with an avalanche of what can only be described as greenwashing. However, businesses are increasingly understanding that sustainability is about far more than trying to benefit from media attention one day per year. Despite the flurry of marketing activity that tries to capitalize on the event there is a growing awareness that engaging sustainability is about a serious and sustained long term commitment.

The data is clear, corporate sustainability is growing, Numerous sustainability reports support this contention and new research indicates that consumer awareness is driving this growth.

According to The Generation Roadmap, consumers believe that as a society we need to “consume a lot less to improve the environment for future generations.” Research shows that 66 percent of American executives think their social responsibility strategies improve their corporate reputation.

Infographic - Chronological History of Earth Day in the US

Source: Care2.com

This Earth Day infographic was created by Kars for Kids – a group that takes car donations to help out kids in need.

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The Business of Earth Day Greenwashing
The Historical Roots of Earth Day and its Relevance Today

The Historical Roots of Earth Day and its Relevance Today

Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22nd, and it is now one of the world's most popular global events, but it has a long history that dates back more than four decades. Quite understandably Earth Day has been criticized as being only one day on the calendar year, but increasingly Earth Day is about promoting responsible environmental conduct all year long.

As Explained by the Earth Day Network, April 22, marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Earth Day was born out the cultural foment that saw the hippie movement, flower power and protests against the Vietnam war.

This was a time when Americans showed a flagrant disregard for the environment. They drove gas guzzling behemoths and industrial growth polluted the air and water.

Calendar of Environmental Events

Here are more than 50 environmental events that take place throughout the course of the year. Many of these events are meant to raise awareness while others encourage tangible actions in support of the environment. These events run the gamut from the World Kitchen Garden Day (August 26th) to the crucially important U.N. sponsored COP process (end of November and the beginning of December) meant to forge an internationally binding treaty that is necessary to save our planet from runaway climate change. 

America Recycles Day (ARD)

November 15 is America Recycles Day (ARD) a day to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling. This day was started by the National Recycling Coalition in 1997. ARD is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the U.S. (World Recycling Day is on July 8).