In 1969, John McConnell proposed at the UNESCO Conference on the Environment the creation of the Earth Day. He thought about having a day to symbolize everything related to nature and our planet. It is a day to think about Earth and the implication of our actions. In the following year, the United Nations president U Thant sanctioned the Earth Day, setting March equinox (around the 20th of March) as the day to celebrate it. Having that in mind, 2008 will be the 39th Earth Day celebration.

In 1970, a similar idea was proposed by Gaylord Nelson, a senator of the United States. He proposed to celebrate an Earth Day every 22th of April. And his idea was very well received. Nowadays, more than 175 countries celebrate the date, which makes half a billion people praising Earth's natural wonders. The UN also help to organize this event, and together with Earth Day Network, a non-profit organization, they commemorate two Earth Days.

Nonetheless, do not think of it as a dispute between two celebrating dates, but as two opportunities to deeply think of concerns and interests for our planet. We have the right to use its resources, but this implies we have the responsibility to preserve and improve it. Think of our planet, if not for its sake, at least for your sake, because your health is directly connected to Earth's health. We all need food, clear and fresh air, and pure and clean water. We are part of Earth's big ecosystem and even our small actions have implications. Deforestation, pollution, excessive farming, all sorts of alterations will come back at us somehow. If not with new mortal diseases, it will be fresh water shortage, lack of food, species extinction, air pollution, etc. So, use the Earth Day to think of your next steps. There are so many things in need of protection, in need of our attention. Global warming may be Earth's last desperate call for help.

You can choose from a wide range of environment protection projects, including Earth's atmosphere, rain forest, wetlands, rivers and streams, oceans and its ecosystems, grassland territories (savannas, steppes, and prairies), deserts (their very delicate balance is easy to destroy), island and their particular fauna and flora, and ice lands. All of them in need of help. From the polar bear losing its natural habitat due to ice melting to deforestation in Amazonia, you can choose virtually any program to support. And do not forget that the small actions such as using clear energy, driving hybrid cars, recycling, saving on fuel, avoiding waste of precious water, reducing CO2 emissions, etc, also count on the long run because, when combined, these small actions have big results.