Volume 85, Issue 29 Web Edition SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935
April 22, 2020
EARTH DAY LIVE 2020
Earth Day goes online in 2020.
Earth Day is
50 years old!
By Carmen Boone
Copy Editor
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans
protested environmental ignorance and
created the largest to date recognized civic
event. Earth Day.
It was a response to environmental crises
like oil spills, pollution and natural disasters,
much like what we are facing now. But what
has been done to recognize Earth Day in the
past 50 years?
Since its launch in 1970, the Clean Air,
Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts
were signed into effect as a result of this new
movement. The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) was also created.
Earth Day is recognized each year as a day to
respond to climate change and, more recently,
push for environmental protection legislation.
Much of the world has come to realize over
the past 50 years that every day should be
Earth Day. The Youth Climate Movement has
only grown and schools are starting to educate
students more on why Earth Day matters.
“The legacy of the first Earth Day was a
fundamental restructuring of the American
economy. The legislation of the 1970s
was possibly the biggest change in how
American industry operates in the nation’s
history,” Denis Hayes, coordinator of the
first Earth Day in 1970, said. “Folks who
had no concern whatsoever for pollution,
for toxics disposal, for resource extraction,
suddenly had to operate within ways that
were benefiting public health and benefiting
the environment.”
So what is being done this year, April 22,
2020 for Earth Day? Earthday.org is hosting
a 24-hour global digital mobilization. Today,
Earth Day turns 50, and there is a platform
for diverse voices and demands for action.
“Over the 24 hours of Earth Day, the 50th
anniversary of Earth Day will fill the digital
landscape with global conversations, calls
to action, performances, video teach-ins and
more,” the directors ofEarthday.org said.
“While Earth Day may be going digital, our
goal remains the same: to mobilize the world
to take the most meaningful actions to make
a difference.”
99-year-old
veteran raises
money for
hospitals
By Caroline Hoy
staff Writer
One might find it hard to believe a 99-year-old
person is doing continuous physical activity, but
that is exactly what one man did in order to help
raise money for healthcare workers.
Tom Moore is a World War II veteran, and
has raised 13 million pounds (the equivalent of
16 million USD) for Britain's National Health
Service.
The money is currently helping people with
COVID-19. Moore’s goal was to complete 100
laps around his garden by his birthday on April
30 with a walker as his only help while doing it.
Moore stated that the health workers on the front
lines “deserve everything we can give them.” He
reached his goal of 100 laps last Thursday and
had nine soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment
form an honor guard for his final lap.
Even Prime Minister Boris Johnson took notice
stating that Moore “embodied the spirit of the
country.” James Slack, Johnson’s spokesman,
furthered the statement by saying, “Tom has
captured the heart of the nation with his heroic
efforts.”
Moore originally started the fundraiser for
doctors and nurses as a thank you for when they
helped him when he broke his hip. Setting an
original goal of only 1,000 pounds, his fundraiser
went viral when Moore appeared on television.
Moore used JustGive, an online social platform
for giving, to fundraise and the company said
that Moore’s campaign was the largest that the
site has ever had.
Moore showed determination and strength. His
story is truly a heart warming tale. This story just
proves that when you put your mind to it you can
do anything.
Moore’s daughter, Hannah, said her father had
become “a beacon of hope for people” during
challenging times. She described the donations
as “beyond words.”