Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Mobilize for Earth: Pledge a Green Act for Earth Day 2012

Large or small, each green action we take—from workplace commitments to reduce, reuse and recycle to individual initiatives like riding a bike to work—helps to protect the integrity of our irreplaceable planet. We have come a long way from the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, that activated 20 million Americans. Today, the Earth Day Network (EDN) collaborates with 22,000 partners in 192 countries, and 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the world’s largest annual civic observance.

More progress is needed, however. “This Earth Day, we are mobilizing people on the planet simply to say one thing: The Earth won’t wait,” advises EDN Director of Earth Day, Franklin Russell, noting that environmental issues are frequently put on the back burner in the face of global economic challenges. “All too often, we hear of another oil spill or pipeline break, or another mountain leveled to mine for dirty coal. It’s time that we mobilize the Earth and speak with one voice, one message,” he asserts. “It’s time that our leaders put us on the path to sustainability.”

EDN invites us to help build the momentum by continuing to participate in the Billion Acts of Green campaign launched for Earth Day 2011. Its goal is to record a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, taking place this June, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To date, more than 499 million acts have been pledged—a powerful cause for hope. “I’m resolutely optimistic,” says Denis Hayes, organizer of the original Earth Day. “I think it’s really valuable for everyone in the world, even for a day, to do something for the environment and think about the Earth.”

Take Part Now

Pledge your own green act today at EarthDay.org and help mobilize the Earth by attending and supporting one or more of these local Earth Day 2012 events.

Earth Day Events

Earth Day on Campus
April 19, 10 a.m.
Penn State Harrisburg, Vartan Plaza
Student ‘Green’ Competition and festivities
Harrisburg.psu.edu/calendar

Plant a Tree for Earth Day
April 19, 4 p.m.
Penn State Harrisburg
Environmental Engineering Club
Harrisburg.psu.edu/calendar

Mechanicsburg Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Downtown Mechanicsburg
Earth Day Celebration
MechanicsburgEarthDayFestival.com

Go Green in the City
Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Downtown York
Green Festival
DowntownYorkPa.com/GoGreen

2012 Market Madness
Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Broad Street Market,
Midtown Harrisburg
Bike race & Community Outreach
HarrisburgBikeTaxi.com

Riverfront Park Clean-Up
Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Riverfront Park,
Downtown Harrisburg
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy
[email protected]

Party for the Planet
April 21-22
100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
Animal demonstrations & tips from naturalists
ZooAmerica.com