Today is Earth Day, the day when people around the world aresupposed to come together to celebrate the planet we live on andall that is in it. Yet most people do not even know when Earth Dayis, let alone what it is.
"I have no idea what tomorrow is," said sophomore English majorTiffany Scearce, adding, however, "I do enjoy the benefits oftaking care of nature. I spend a lot of time outdoors when I can.We go backpacking or camping in Arkansas a lot."
Motivated by growing grass-roots concerns over issues like airquality, acid rain, energy consumption and other pressingenvironmental issues, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson co-founded thefirst observance of Earth Day in 1970. Today is the 33rd annualobservance.
Primarily rooted on college campuses around the country in the1970s, Earth Day celebrations have grown into global events withmany people and communities celebrating for the week or the entiremonth of April.
Although some University of Memphis students do not know whatEarth Day is or about its history, they do have thoughts on theenvironment and its protection.
"The University could really make it more convenient to recycleby putting more recycling bins around campus," said sophomoremarketing major Allison Fields. "Computer labs are the only placeyou really see them. I really thing students would use them."
Fields is environmentally conscious when it comes to the way shelives, as well.
"I drive a Saturn now and it's pretty good on gas," she said. "Idon't think I would drive a big truck or a much larger car, maybe aHonda, even if I could afford it."
One student said a very important part of environmentalconservation is tree conservation.
"Working with the environment is very important," said seniorconstruction management major Jason Escue. "Unfortunately, whenplanning for population growth, making money usually is the bottomline. Other students look at me like I'm crazy when I suggestbuilding around or with the environment, but when you cut down atree, it takes 50 or 60 years to replace it."
