Day 122: EARTH DAY

Earth Day is the day designated for fostering appreciation of the earth's environment and awareness of the issues that threaten it. Actually, Earth Day is one of two days, depending on when you choose to observe it. Some people celebrate Earth Day on the first day of Spring, which is the vernal equinox that occurs on or around March 21st. In 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. Since that time, Earth Day has been officially observed in April. At present, Earth Day is observed in 175 countries, and coordinated by the nonprofit Earth Day Network. The passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act are considered to be products associated with the 1970 Earth Day.

Earth Day is the annual U.S. celebration of the environment and a time for Americans to assess the work still needed to protect the natural gifts of our planet. Earth Day has no central organizing force behind it, though several nongovernmental organizations work to keep track of the thousands of local events in schools and parks that mark the day. It affirms that environmental awareness is part of the country's consciousness and that the idea of protecting the environment — once the province of a few conservationists — has moved from the extreme to the mainstream of American thought.

Almost 30 years of conflict have not only killed millions of Afghans, but have also decimated the land and natural environment. Centuries-old well-conceived water and irrigation systems have been destroyed; almost 50% of drinking water is contaminated; and Afghans, especially in urban areas, are exposed to many of the worst toxic and carcinogenic air pollutants known.

Help the Afghan Children believes that a big part of their educational investment must address the issue of teaching children that awareness of and concern for the environment is crucial in the re-establishment of a civil society.

Designed by a leading Afghan authority on environmental issues, their Environmental Education Program helps children understand their unique relationship with the natural world; how actions they take in their life affect the environment; and how the environment itself affects their lives as adults and future generations.

Their program exposes Afghan children to key environmental concepts and teaches environmental responsibility. Their Green Rooms at each participating school provide an ideal learning environment where teachers can engage children in hands-on environmental projects; provide local eco-walks where they learn to identify local environmental problems as well as practical ways to resolve them.

Donation $10

To support Help the Afghan Children, please visit: http://www.helptheafghanchildren.org/