Screw Earth Day

By Virginia Prescott on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Earth Day began in 1970 with the purest of intentions. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson dreamed it up as a way to bring environmentalism to the masses, who mostly thought of caring for the Earth as a hippie fringe endeavor. How did this grass roots event turn into the inspiration for picnics, parade and “Earth First” t-shirts?

The environmental website Grist.org is launching a "Screw Earth Day" campaign, urging us to think twice before celebrating the greenest day of all. But before you call off tonight’s composting party, there’s a catch. Grist wants us to be that green every day of the year. As part of our "next green thing" series, Grist.org’s senior editor Katharine Wroth is here to tell us how to ditch the Earth Day mentality.

Grist.org: Does Earth Day Still Matter?

(Illustration courtesy of Terry Hart via Flickr/Creative Commons)

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Katharine Wroth has some nerve assuming we don't endeavor to be more environmentally conscious every day.

Earth Day is hyperbole. It's used to create emphasis. A good, healthy emphasis at that.

Christians worship Jesus every day. Christmas is just the day we all get on the same page. That never hurts.

Submitted by captainkona on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 11:54.

As usial this is the day when hundereds of granola munchers and tree huggers will gather inCENTRAL PARK and take part in rediculous earthday celabrations and leave mountians of trash while doing so proving htier hypotcrits as well

Submitted by Flu-Bird on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 14:00.

At least on that day people should not pollute.

Submitted by zastava10 on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 12:19.

Idea Smackdown: Round III

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Word of Mouth is all about what's new. Online and on-air, the show looks at our fascinating and ever-changing world, and puts the latest ideas under a microscope. Word of Mouth investigates everything from science and technology, to health and the environment, to new trends in popular culture. The show airs Monday through Thursday at noon and is hosted by Virginia Prescott.