In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through inefficient automobiles; industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences; and air pollution was accepted as the smell of prosperity. Until this point, American’s remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health.
Senator Gaylord Nelson, the junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. In January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses and recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize campus teach-ins. They chose April 22, a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize the greatest student participation.
Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, and business and labor. By the end of 1972, the first Earth Day helped produce the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act. A year after that, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. These laws have protected millions of men, women and children from disease and death and have protected hundreds of species from extinction.
This information was drawn from https://www.earthday.org/history/
Celebrate Earth Day With a Gift to Our St. Mark’s Greening Fund
Our current project is replacing over 500 light bulbs at St. Mark’s with energy-efficient LED bulbs. We are excited about this very tangible way to reduce our energy consumption. We estimate that the total cost of this project, after rebates, will be $8,500. You can help us fund this and other projects by making a gift to our St. Mark’s Greening Fund. Gifts can be made online at this link or with a special offering gift that is mailed to us or placed in the offering basket during worship.
Change Lightbulbs at St Mark’s!
Help SMLC save energy by replacing 500 light bulbs! Stay tuned for a date and time on this project.
Clean up a local beach with the Washington Coast Clean-up on Saturday April 23rd!
Tacoma’s Green Living Guide is an interactive map featuring many of Tacoma’s resources and efforts towards more sustainable living. Within it, you’ll find information on how to get around in Tacoma, where to find locally grown food, places to enjoy nature within the city, and more. Green Living Map and Resources – City of Tacoma
Youth Bird Drawing Contest- Just one month left to submit entries to the 2022 Youth Bird Drawing Contest! There are no fees to enter. Prizes are generously being donated by Arts and Craftsman Supply Tacoma, and selected artwork will be framed and put on display there this summer! https://www.tahomaaudobon.org/contest
Support Food is Free Tacoma
In Tacoma, we are a food-sharing organization that advocates for front yard gardens and sharing among neighbors. Our Mission is to grow community and food while helping gain independence from a broken agricultural system.
Look at the Garden Share Days in May in local parks.
Find lots of events going on in the South Sound in April at Earth Day South Sound
Read along each day for 30 days and be inspired to find new ways to commit to creation care!
Click here to learn about our congregation’s commitment to living in harmony with creation.
The Creation Care Alliance brings together people who affirm the sacredness of all that God has made and the calling we have to be faithful stewards who live in harmony with creation. All are invited to join us at our regular meetings which take place on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Click here to join the St. Mark’s Creation Care Alliance.
To kick off Earth Month, members of our St. Mark’s creation Creation Care Alliance helped release tiny salmon into Puget Creek in Tacoma.