Celebrating the True Earth Day and World Water Day

March 20, 2012

After 42 Years: Celebrating the True Earth Day and World Water Day

Earth Day Biographer Robert Weir Discusses the Origins of Earth Day (Originally the First Day of Spring) on the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water

Hear Sharon Kleyne's March 19, 2012 interview with Robert Weir on demand on World Talk Radio, Voice America, Green Talk Network and Apple iTunes

"Since 1970, Earth Day has been observed on April 22," said Robert Weir, biographer of Earth Day founder John McConnell in his March 19, 2012 interview with Sharon Kleyne. "But the original celebration, in 1969, was held on March 20, the day of the spring equinox, when all the Earth is in balance."

Both Robert Weir and Sharon Kleyne find it noteworthy that the "true" Earth Day also occurs two days before United Nations World Water Day on March 22.

"These commemorative days," explains Sharon Kleyne, host of the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water syndicated radio talk show, "offer an excellent opportunity for everyone to become knowledgeable about the vital importance of water and the environment in every aspect of our lives."

Sharon Kleyne's March 19, 2012 interview with Robert Weir on the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water, may be heard on-demand on World Talk Radio, Voice America, Green Talk Network and Apple iTunes.

According to Robert Weir, author of Peace, Justice, Care of Earth: The Vision of John McConnell (Press On Publishers, 2007), McConnell first presented the concept of Earth Day at a United Nations UNESCO conference in San Francisco in 1969, to be held annually on the day of the spring equinox, when day and night are the same length everywhere on Earth. The United Nations continues to ring the Peace Bell each year on the first day of spring, at the moment of equipoise, in honor of John McConnell and the original Earth day.

McConnell's vision was not political and was intended to dwell on the positive, not the negative. He believed that peace is not just the absence of war, it is all people living in harmony with each other and with the Earth. He believed that justice is not revenge but equal sharing of resources. And he believed that it is not possible to genuinely care for the Earth without peace and justice.

The alternate, April 22 Earth Day celebration, according to Robert Weir, came about in 1970, the date of the original Teach-in on the Environment, promoted by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. The date also came to be called "Earth Day." The April 22 Earth Day is now observed in 141 countries and is recognized by the United Nations as "International Mother Earth Day."

World Water Day was enacted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, to be held annually on March 22.

Robert Weir's website: www.RobertMWeir.com

Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water is sponsored by Bio-Logic Aqua Research, whose Nature's Tears® EyeMist® is an all-natural, all-water, personal, hand-held humidifying device for dry eye. Nature's Tears® EyeMist® is available at www.BioLogicAqua.com, Amazon.com, drugstore.com and selected drugstores nationwide.

Listen to the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water Mondays, 10 a.m., PST/PDT. The syndicated radio talk show is heard on Voice America/World Talk Radio, Green Talk Network and Apple iTunes. Go to www.SharonKleyneHour.com for written summaries and on-demand replays. Also visit www.naturestears.com, whatistheeye.wordpress.com, "Nature's Tears EyeMist" on Facebook and "Bio-Logic Aqua" on Twitter.

© 2012 Bio-Logic Aqua Research (121).