In 1969, Gladwin Hill wrote in the New York Times:
earth day
“Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation’s campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam…a national day of observance of environmental problems…is being planned for next spring…”
That national day of observance has now become an international and annual event called Earth Day. And it takes place on April 22nd.
Which gives us just over a month to plan something :O
Now, given the VBR passion for seasonal eating and for growing our own food, it seems sensible to play to our strengths. And I personally have been promising myself that one day I will organise something designed to help create a more friendly community in the street where I live. So I guess this is my chance.
But I can’t decide exactly what to do. And that’s why I need you, dear reader!
1. Please vote in the poll to help me choose between three ideas:
2. And then please use the comments box down there to share ideas on how you plan to use Earth Day to promote seasonal / local / organic eating or “victory gardening”.
We’ll pick all the events we really like, publicise them for you here, and even see if we can get a bit of radio or print publicity for you when we issue our own press releases announcing whichever event gets the most votes.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
The VegBox Team
Hiya
I cast my vote; I have to admit I’m not very good at organising events. I’m more likely to raise awareness through writing on my sites, but you’ve certainly given me something to think about regarding being more proactive.
I think you will have a wonderful time
(((HUGS))) to you
Mrs g x
Thanks Mrs G!
I’m now thinking about including a (laptop) screening of the mini-documentary “Eat the Suburbs” in the event. Have you seen it?
C
Hey!!
I hopped over from MyZeroWaste too
Great idea, about the party!!
So fabulous!! 
Well, about the seeds & seedlings – I don’t know about where you live & how ‘in time’ things would be? maybe also take a look at your neighbours’ gardens (if they have any?) for example, we already have some lettuce in the greenhouse & wouldn’t really need any.. maybe other people might..
In our street many people have their own garden anyway, so I was thinking more about launching a ‘zero waste week’ of sorts.. but the party idea still sounds brilliant!!
I’ll try to visit a neighbour that I know is sorta ‘green’ & pick her mind about things.. /I found that out when I was going around with a no-GMO petition!!/ Ideally, we’d get the council to do a zero waste week! Do you have an ally over there too? (it might be easier this way?)
Otherwise, I just intended to have own zero waste week, and some people on a Slovenian forum also sorta said they’d do it too!
I already asked our family for it (they weren’t really enthusiastic, & that’s an understatement lol – but I tried to extortion it as a birthday present!!
I said they don’t have to buy me anything else!! 
– they’re slowly coming round, we’ll see! – my birthday is around that time! 
/
So how about us all just having a ‘zero waste week’, yours could be a party, with maybe some lovely salad (if you have any extra?) &/or healthy snacks/juicing, & seeds & seedlings (&maybe leaflets) as people would prefer? (those who need any could take ‘em?)
? – depends who’d come too..)
/maybe you could also impress them with some homemade pickled stuff or jams or liquor
Definitely food is a good idea, as it’s a traditional ‘party’ ingredient, and gives people something to sample immediately.. – especially if they like it, they may be more easily impressed (?)
maybe later on, if the idea caught on..?/
In Berlin, they had multicultural events and food was a very good ingredient that sort of ‘gelled’ them together.. (they shared multicultural food, each ethnicity brought their own..) Maybe an idea for multi-ethnic neighbourhoods? /eg What can you do with … cauliflower?
I’d love to start ‘eco clubs’ too – basically interested people meeting occasionally, to discuss green stuff & how to live greener.. This is totally in the idea stage yet though..
Anyway, wishing you good luck with your project, will keep an eye on it!!
What an amazing response, Layla. Thank you so much for all your thoughts. In particular, I like the idea of finding a like-minded ally. I spotted a woman yesterday who definitely seemed to be planting vegetables in her front garden, so I’m going to knock on the door
I would heartily encourage other readers to check our Layla’s latest post on using fruits and vegetables to make really easy colourings for painting Easter eggs with. Just click on her name above and you’ll go through to her site.
Thanks!!
Glad you like my ideas & the Easter-egg experiment! It’s really simple & waste-free!!
I’m trying to find local allies for Earth Day here too, & I also found this: http://downshiftingweek.wordpress.com/ – author of the Book of Rubbish Ideas is launching an InterNational Downshifting Week: 18th to 24th April 2009
I like the tips for businesses: http://downshiftingweek.wordpress.com/how-to-take-part/
Maybe we could see what other people are planning for Earth Day/week too, & we could all be inspired by each other?
Do tell about how it goes with finding allies! I have a meeting set with a neighbour on Monday!