Earth Day is April 22, 2008

Earth Day started back in 1970, after Senator Gaylor Nelson pondered the idea for several years. Inspired by the student demonstrations of the 1960’s, Senator Nelson wanted to create a grassroots effort that would force the environmental issue onto the political agenda.  This year, Earth Day is on Tuesday April 22.  We’ll be hosting a webinar discussing how companies can grow their business through environmental initiatives.

But, we want to know what YOU are doing to celebrate Earth Day this year.  Whether it’s a personal initiative, a community event or a company campaign – post a comment and tell us all about it!

Carolyn Campbell
Senior Director, Marketing Communications
InterCall

Comments

[Jamie Robe]

Hi. I commend you on doing the green initiatives your company of undertaking. I am a computer engineer who has been looking into ways to also help other reduce carbon outputs, and I am exploring your training center product as part of that. I am also an organizer of the first Going Green Tampa Bay Sustainability EXPO we are going to hold here in Tampa Florida on April 12th. I was wondering if you know of any partner organizations or even if InterCall would like to participate as an exhibitor. We are holding it at the University of South Florida Sun Dome stadium, April 12, 2008. Please take a look at our website http://www.GoingGreenTampaBay.com. I know there are businesses in our area that are interested in online collaboration technologies, etc. Thanks, Jamie Robe

[Julia Mally]

Many groups in and near the community of Westport, Connecticut are working on green and environmental issues.

Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center in Westport, is hosting the Green Earth Fair on Saturday & Sunday April 26 & 27, 2008. http://earthplace.org/calendar/index.html#Green_Earth_Fair
There will be eco-friendly vendors and exhibitors, guest environmental lectures, close-up animal encounters, children's workshops and activities, alternative energy vehicles, and information from community groups about local actions. Earthplace is a nature center that also works to rehabilitate wildlife and operates a water quality monitoring program for local streams, rivers and harbors. We are still looking for vendors who would like to showcase products that help people live a green life.

The Westport Green Energy Task Force, http://www.wegreenwestport.org, is trying to get residents to reduce their carbon footprint and sign up for clean energy sources. They are trying to educate both individual homeowners and businesses.

Fairfield County GreenDrinks is a local chapter of a group that provides an opportunity to network, brainstorm and socialize about local and global environmental issues. http://ctgreenscene.typepad.com/ct_green_scene/fairfield-county-green-dr.html

These are just a few of the many local groups working to educate the public and promote sustainable living.

[Martin Fox]

I’ve just been asked what I’m doing on 22nd April.

The answer is simple. I’ll be on the Earth Day webinar talking about best corporate practice to face the challenge of climate change. I really hope I won’t be alone!

I’d like to spark a real debate, so that we can all learn from each other, and start to make a difference.

[Abby Clubb]

I have proposed a paper recycling program for our office to celebrate Earth Day. It's a cool program that pays local schools for every pound of paper that is recycled. So, we get to help the environment and local schools.

[The Owens Family]

The Owens family has been “going green” since before “going green” was cool. We try to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint, from buying organic foods to owning a Hybrid vehicle. We do this not only for the planet, but for the health of our twin boys. One of the most important things that we have done was change the way we clean around our house. We have switched from “ready-to-use” cleaners to a company called Shaklee. After doing tons of research, it just made sense.

[Eren Brumley]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend Saturday's event, but our family did participate in activities:
* Going grocery shopping using reusable bags. We haven't used store-supplied bags in over 2 months, yay!
* Recycled containers, boxes, magazines, etc. in our household while doing our weekly clean up.
* Biked to church and to the park, instead of going there by car. We have a hybrid car, which uses less gas and emits less emissions, but every little extra bit helps.
We strive to do this an more on an ongoing basis, not just for Earth day, because we should act as if everyday is be Earth Day.

[poetryman69]

I believe that if we only vote for candidates that have an energy independence policy, many if not most of these problems will resolve themselves. We are addicted to paying tyrants and terrorist for oil. To keep or get this oil we fight costly wars that are environmentally destructive. If we use only domestic sources of energy the reduced transportation costs alone will save energy and the environment. The green and alternative technologies are 10 to 20 years away from wide scale use because of their inadequate availability and conversion efficiencies. But we have enough, nuclear, coal,oil and natural gas to go energy Independent now. All we have to do is follow the lead of other countries who have done it, Brazil, Denmark, France and Australia.