EARTH WORKS: A CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
"The most important fact about Spaceship Earth: an instruction book didn't come with it."
- Buckminster Fuller
WHAT ARE WE DOING ON EARTH?
An estimated 20 million people in communities across the United States participated in the first Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970. In 2002, over 500 million people in more than 180 counties participated in various events and projects on Earth Day, making it the largest celebrated environmental event worldwide.
The goal of Earth Day is to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, sustainable world by teaching people the knowledge and skills required to live environmentally friendly lifestyles. It is the one day of the year that has been officially designated to focus everyone’s attention, efforts and commitment to environmental issues and initiatives.
A great deal of progress has been made in caring for our environment since Earth Day was born. Still, much more needs to be done in order to reclaim earth as a truly healthy place to live.
WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING?
Our planet today continues to face major problems that threaten people, animals and ecosystems. Poor choices have led to acid rain, coastal pollution, deforestation, global warming, noise pollution, overflowing landfills, overpopulation, soil erosion, toxic waste, air pollution, water pollution and other environmental damage. If these and other problems are left unchecked, our future on this planet is in jeopardy!
WHAT CAN WE DO TO SAVE THE EARTH?
Millions of people show their commitment to our environment everyday through activities like recycling paper, plastics and cans; conserving energy and water; and by cleaning up their neighborhoods. These actions make a big difference. But, we need to do more. We must all recognize that environmental problems are caused by human action and do all that is humanly possible to work toward lasting solutions.
HOW CAN ART MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Many artists today are using their creative powers to help solve environmental problems by cleaning up rivers, planting trees, working with garbage and wastewater treatment systems, revitalizing urban waste sites for people and for other forms of life, raising public awareness of the rapid rate of deforestation occurring in areas of the world, and much more. In fact, the history of art is filled with examples of artists responding to environmental issues and translating ideas into works that have influenced peoples’ perceptions of nature. For instance, the work of 19th century American landscape painters like Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran inspired the establishment of National Park System in the U.S. Contemporary artists like Ana Mendieta and Andy Goldsworthy have used site-specific sculptures to draw attention to humans’ relationship to nature.
Following the lead of these and other artists, we invite teachers and students to work together to learn more about their local environment and to share their ideas and concerns through art about how we can better co-exist with the natural world. --> [more...]
