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We at LAist were shocked to find Los Angeles celebrating Earth Day on April 16, instead of the 22nd (as it has been for the last 35 years). But then we realized that it was really just those crazy Santa Monicans that were a week off with their Earth Day event, and it all started to make sense. And we breathed a sigh of relief.April is generally the time for all things Earth--Earth Month, Earth Week, Earth Day. April 22, 1970, was the historic day that parks and streets, schools and public spaces everywhere were filled with over 20 million people demonstrating for a healthier environment. Since then, April has become a time for the whole planet to stop and reflect on the worldwide effort to protect the earth--which has also come to embody principles of social justice and human rights.
There are a number of events planned around the city in celebration of Earth Day, including a free earthday film festival at Santa Monica College, and a blowout children's earthday event at the ECO Station in Culver City. We'll keep posting more this week--and your ideas on actions and resources for sustainable living are definitely welcome!
While there's lots around town for watching and listening, we would love to see more discussion-oriented events--forums for reaching beyond education to action, giving people a voice, and generating ideas about how things can change. ("Be the change you would like to see in the world," said Ghandi.) If you have ideas, or are planning something earth day oriented, please post in the comments!
