Every year on April 22 communities across the world celebrate Earth Day. Begun largely through the efforts of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day propelled environmental issues into the national spotlight and is today celebrated in an estimated 174 countries. The first Earth Day was held in 1970.

Earth Day celebrations are dedicated to increasing awareness about contemporary environmental issues. Nelson called Earth Day, “One of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy,” and urged Americans to safeguard their environment.

This theme was echoed at the UMB Earth Week Expo where students could learn about the Cape Cod wind farm project, green chemistry, and getting involved in environmental initiatives.

The week of activities was designed by the Earth Week Planning Committee, which organizes efforts to educate students on environmental issues and create awareness of environmental problems. They also plan and encourage local activity. This year they put together a speaker symposium, a film showing, and the expo.

Tanya Anderson, a graduate student in the environmental, coastal, and ocean sciences program, as well as an event planner, called it successful, saying, “The Earth Expo has attracted a wide number of people, both students and visitors to campus.”

The committee says that environmental issues are a prime concern for many UMB students.

The committee conducted an 800-person survey last year and “almost all [of the students] showed a moderate to high concern for the environment,” according to Anderson. Ulrike Baigorria, an undergraduate on the committee, commented, “We’ve had a wonderful response…it’s all been positive.”

One of the aims of the committee is to foster interest and involvement in environmental issues. “Get involved at any level,” urged Ulrike Baigorria, adding, “If everyone put in two cents we would have a fortune.”

The event organizers also saw education as key to solving the environmental problems America and the world face today. “I think that educating people is the most power that you can give to someone,” commented Amy Cannon, a Ph.D. candidate in the Green Chemistry program. Tanya Anderson recommended students “take classes that are related to the environment to learn more about these issues.”

Cape Wind, Inc. is proposing the construction of an offshore wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod to provide the area with an environmentally friendly source of power. Cape Wind representative Rachel Pachter was cheerful.

“Cape Wind would offset over one million tons of…the primary greenhouse gas every year, which would be the equivalent of taking 162,000 cars off the road,” Pachter said. “It is imperative that we make wise decisions about our current and future energy needs,” she insisted, adding Cape Wind will “reduce this region’s need to import foreign energy.”

Cape Wind is a very controversial issue in the Nantucket Bay area, with residents upset because they think the wind farm will spoil views and boat traffic and might affect the ecology of the harbor.

Opponents criticize the tendency for environmentalist groups to align themselves with Democrats or activists who are left of center. Many Earth Day celebrations this year bashed the policies of President Bush, which many say politicizes the movement and alienates conservatives who are concerned about environmental issues.

Despite the criticism that many environmentalist groups are politically motivated, the activists at the Earth Week Committee stress the apolitical nature of their work.

“We’re apolitical but we support students becoming more engaged politically,” remarked Anderson. “The group welcomes anybody with any political views,” insisted Baigorria.