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Friday, April 24, 2020

Day 368 Earth Day-Virtual Celebration-Pandemic by-product, Blossoming Earth


Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s Global connection with Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day celebration has gone digital in the present age of social distancing. Although Pittsburgh’s Earth Day has been moved to August due to Covid- 19, organizers have put together a variety of  virtual activities to explore for several weeks to come. One of the positive by-product of this pandemic has been cleaner waters and bluer skies. It seems that the earth decided to blossom this spring in celebration of Earth Day.   




Hike on Laurel Highlands Trial
Refection

Walking or hiking are one of the only things that you can do during this usual time in lock down. The discovery of dotted green moss and small evidence of new life while recently hiking a more remote part of the Laurel Highlands Trail brought personal calm and peace. I have found a reprieve from the pandemic and gained a heightened appreciation for this earth when uniting with the beauty of nature, listening to running water as it trickled over rocks and observing the art of the clouds against the blue bird sky.  Earth Day is a way to remember what nature gives back to us. This virtual Earth Day celebration has sprouted many ways to enjoy, learn and explore: 
  • Virtual Eco Film Showcase-Features documentaries, a section identifying fictional films with an environmental message and a section of family films. Some have a cost to mainstream but some are free (here). Additionally, through-out the month of August, Eco Film Showcase  will provide short films and documentaries to celebrate Earth Day.   
  • Virtual Eco Biz BuzzShares ideas and actions taken in Pittsburgh and the world with links to Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan, Ted Talks and more (here). 


There is plenty of virtual fun and ways to learn in celebration of  Earth Day in the weeks to come. You may even want to sing Pittsburgh's Earth Day anthem"(Lay Down)Candles in the Windwith our own hometown talent as you celebrate this period when the earth blossomed.  


Happy Earth Day Everyday. 

Spiritual Reflection
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the  sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. (Psalm 96:11-12) 


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