EARTH DAY 2006 "The fate of the living planet is the most
important issue facing mankind." - Gaylord Nelson As people
around the world come together to celebrate the 36th anniversary
of Earth Day on or around April 22nd with events that focus on
environmental themes, some cynics still like to dismiss the tree
planting, beach cleanups, marches for parks, and the multitude
of other projects as feel-good activities that are soon
forgotten. In reality, however, there is no denying the long-
term impact that Earth Day has had on our society. Prior to
April 22nd, 1970, the state of the environment was considered a
non-issue in the political arena. What was once perceived as a
fanatical group of activists and nature lovers interested in
saving whales and rain forests, has evolved over time into an
environmental consciousness that has become part of our
mainstream culture. According to a study by Wirthlin Worldwide,
an international public-opinion organization, environmentalism
"has become deeply rooted in the US nati