By Homefix Corporation
Happy Earth Day from all of us at Homefix Corporation! To help you with your Earth Day celebrations, here are 10 facts about today, and the earth in general, to help you get into the Earth Day spirit.
1. The first official Earth Day was April 22, 1970.
20 million Americans participated in related activities on the first Earth Day. In 1990, the event expanded from an American holiday, to a global observance.
2. The earth's circumference is 24, 901 miles!
This measurement is taken at the equator, which brings us to our next fact:
3. The earth is not perfectly spherical.
The rotation of the earth, and the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, cause the earth to be flatter at the poles. There are changes and bumps along the surface that occur as gravity shifts, and the mass becomes redistributed.
4. The earth moves around the suns at 67,000 miles per hour.
It's a good thing that we don't notice it, especially since the earth is also spinning on its axis.
5. Water, water everywhere (but mostly in Antarctica).
The continent of Antarctica contains about 70 percent of earth's fresh water, so the idea of using water wisely is no joke!
6. Early life on earth may not have been so green.
According to
this article, early life on earth may have had a purple hue, instead of the lush green foliage we see today.
7. The oceans are filled with gold.
It's diluted, and buried in rocks under the sea, but it's there!
8. Recycling is a big deal.
If every newspaper in the world was recycled, it would save 250 million trees!
9. The average American household has a carbon footprint of 48 tons per year.
It would take 40 acres of the US forests to offset that amount of CO2. Green practices, like recycling, and being mindful of electricity and fuel usage can help reduce this footprint. Renewable energy, like solar power, makes a big impact, and energy efficient home improvements can also help reduce energy usage and waste.
10. Workplaces are shifting to greener practices.
Because many people have taken notice of their impact on the environment, companies know that green practices attract quality workers. Many companies include telecommuting as an option, and promote recycling, carpooling, and other environmentally friendly actions.
How will you be observing Earth Day? Let us know in the comments!