April 22, 1970, was the first Earth Day, and marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. According to Santa Barbara, California Community Environmental Council: "The story goes that Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after that horrific oil spill off our coast in 1969. He was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth."

On that first Earth Day, over 20 million Americans participated in teach-ins, demon strations, and rallies to support a healthy, sustainable environment. The movement that started there led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and the Endangered Species Act. In 1990, Earth Day went global, and over 200 million people in 141 countries stood up for the Earth. It is estimated that nearly a billion people worldwide participated in Earth Day 2007.

The title phrase, "We Have Met the Enemy, And He Is Us", was coined by satirical cartoonist, Walt Kelly, creator of Pogo, for his poster for the first Earth Day which is now a collector's item. Kelly recognized that the fundamental issue is how we, as individuals, relate to and treat our planet. Just the year before, Buckminster Fuller had published "Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth", which promulgated the idea that the Earth, like a spaceship, is a closed system, with the Sun as our energy source. The spaceship has a finite supply of resources, and cannot be resupplied. If it is not maintained in good order, it will no longer function. Each of us is part of the crew of this ship. Each of us is responsible for its welfare.

Earth Day 2008 offers an opportunity to once again examine how we relate to our mother ship, and what we can do in our own lives to ensure that it continues to function. Throughout its nearly 30-year history, KVMR has held a commitment to promoting a healthy environment, airing programs such as Soundings and The Bioneers. We invite you to join us at a series of free Earth Day events in our region this month, which KVMR will be helping to promote and sponsor.

Sunday, April 20 Sacramento Earth Day 2008 Southside Park, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit sacramentoearthday.net for more information.

Tuesday, April 22 Sierra College Earth Day Grass Valley, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the Grass Valley campus of Sierra College, the Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students (ECOS) will play host to many of our local and regional environmental groups, student organizations, and craft and food vendors. There will be musical entertainment throughout the day. This event is free and the public is invited.

Saturday, April 26 North Lake Tahoe Truckee Earth Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Held at the Village at Squaw Valley, "Giant Steps Towards Smaller Footprints", will focus on ways to reduce our impacts to combat climate change. The day will include thought-provoking speakers, over 50 displays by non-profits environmental organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and green businesses. The Push, Pull, or Pedal Eco Parade (for kids of all ages) kicks off the day, and there are children's activities all day long. In addition to world-class music, the day's entertainment will include the eco vaudeville troupe, The Earth Capades Planetary Circus, and Nevada County's own Haute Trash Fashion Show. The event kicks off Friday evening with a showing of the best films from the Wild and Scenic Film Festival at the Olympic Village Lodge.

Visit tahoetruckeeearthday.org for more information.

We urge you to attend an Earth Day event near you; learn new ways to reduce your impact on the Earth; and renew your personal commitment to making a difference. Bring a friend! Isn't it time we became allies of the Earth?

By Richard Gorman, KVMR's Underwriter Coordinator