Happy Earth Day

"The Earth seen from Apollo 17" by NASA/Apollo 17 

April 22, 2015 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. Today people in general seem so much more aware of conservation and ecology. They drive hybrid cars, and refuse to drink water from plastic bottles.

My first Earth Day was in 1980. We sat on the Union Green at Penn State and listened to bands all day and into the night. We played ultimate frisbee. We sat on sheets from our dorm beds. Life was much different. 

We didn't have hybrid cars, and Perrier had only recently reintroduced bottled water. No one had cell phones, and you wandered through the crowd trying to connect with friends. In the process you met new friends, shared a drink and a smoke. This was BI, before Internet.

Even though people seem more aware of the issues, Earth Day seems to have shrunk in importance. Celebrations are held when it is convenient rather than on Earth Day. People fear skipping out on work or school to enjoy a few minutes. 

Celebrate Earth Day today. Don't eat lunch in front of the computer, instead eat outside. Get some fresh air, and see what the weekday sun looks like. Just maybe you'll be a little less stressed out at the end of the day.