At a conference in Seattle in 1969, Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin made a bold announcement. Nelson said that in the spring of 1970, there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration for a healthy, sustainable environment. And on April 22,
At a conference in Seattle in 1969, Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin made a bold announcement.
Nelson said that in the spring of 1970, there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration for a healthy, sustainable environment. And on April 22, 1970, approximately 20 million Americans demonstrated, marking the first Earth Day.
After the Earth Day movement progressed worldwide in 1990, the number of participants greatly increased. According to the Earth Day Network, more than 1 billion people participated in Earth Day activities and demonstrations worldwide last year.
“It’s pretty simple,” said Diana LaBedz of the Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i chapter. “Heaven Earth provides us with all we need. All that needs to be is that people understand that all life forms need an equal seat at the table and have our understanding and deep respect. If we lose the connection, we have lost it all.”
According to Jennifer Sifuentes of Aloha, We Deliver!, taking a variety of steps to make a difference every day, not just on Earth Day, can add up.
Simple things like riding a bike, taking the bus or carpooling and remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle can help, she said.
“Participate in legislation,” Sifuentes said. “Write letters to the editor, mayor and County Council and support bills that have sustainability in mind.”
Sifuentes also suggested buying locally and avoiding packaging that isn’t recyclable.
“Just say no to Styrofoam and plastic bags,” she said.
Gordon LaBedz of the Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i chapter feels taking care of the environment starts with diet.
“The easiest, and among the most important things you can do for the environment is to stop eating beef and fish because of the environmental destructiveness of cows,” LaBedz said. “And fish because the ocean has been strip-mined and sea life is diminishing.”
Carpooling, taking the bus or limiting driving is another way to use less energy, LaBedz said.
LaBedz added that turning off the air conditioner and opening the windows is a good way to use less energy.
As a way to celebrate Earth Day and to move towards sustainability on Kaua‘i, the Blossoming Lotus will be hosting an Earth Day benefit dinner tonight.
“It’s a way to honor the Earth by celebrating what the Earth has to offer,” said Gia Baiocchi, a managing member of the Blossoming Lotus. “It will highlight the abundance of what Kaua‘i has to offer.”
The dinner, which costs $40 per person, will consist of food grown on Kaua‘i that has been donated by local farmers, Baiocchi said. Locally grown lettuce for salad, taro root and fresh coconut water are among the entrees.
Portions of the proceeds from the dinner will go to benefit cultivating community support for food sovereignty and a community and school gardens project.
“Earth Day magic should be shared everyday,” Diana LaBedz said. “All we have is the earth that supports us. We need to stop hogging it all up for ourselves, share and start giving back.”
For more information on the Earth Day benefit dinner, call 822-7678 or 652-4414.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com
