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Reflecting on the world’s beauty on 50th anniversary of Earth Day
By Tom Adkinson
Earth Day, April 22, normally is an occasion for events large and small to draw attention to the state of the environment around the world and to look to the future. The coronavirus pandemic exploded public plans for Earth Day 2020, the 50th anniversary of an event originally envisioned as a teach-in on college campuses across the U.S.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” in 1962 helped set the stage, and an oil spill in 1969 off Santa Barbara, California, was the immediate catalyst for the first Earth Day in 1970. As consciousness of the planet’s health grew, results included creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and expansion of Earth Day to an international movement. The Earth Day Network says it is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement and is active in more than 190 countries.
Even on a muted Earth Day 2020, it is easy to reflect on the world’s beauty and its future. Here is a collection of scenes from five continents that are offered with the admonition to pause during our current self-isolation and think of the future.
Cape Perpetua, Oregon
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Flint Hills, eastern Kansas
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Milford Sound waterfall, New Zealand
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Amazonian butterfly, South America
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Thermal Creek, Iceland
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Rhine River, Germany
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
Gobi Desert, China
Image by Tom Adkinson. |
One more reason to save the earth
Image by Tom Adkinson
(Travel writer Tom Adkinson’s new book, 100 Things To Do in Nashville Before You Die, is available at CornersOfTheCountry.com.)
Published April 24, 2020
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