Earth Day started out when Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin believed that an issue as important as our environment was not addressed in politics or by the media, so he created the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, according to America’s Library.
On the brink of celebrating 50 years of Earth Day, David Husemoller, sustainability manager for the College of Lake County, it among those who feel there are more issues than ever.
“It’s more relevant than ever before, especially with climate change,” said Husemoller, who added that CLC is going above and beyond Earth Day and turning it into two weekends and a week of activities.
“This is an opportunity to explore different ways the environment impacts us and gives us tools to do something about it,” he said.
On Saturday, two days before Monday’s official commemoration of Earth Day, a campus cleanup is planned in Grayslake with the CLC Environmental Club from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with everyone meeting at the science building.
On Earth Day itself, students and staff will meet at the Café Willow from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to talk about how every day can become Earth Day.
From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, which is located at 1 N. Genesee St., scientists and residents will be available to talk about air pollution problems in Lake County.
On Tuesday, a session on composting and recycling is planned from noon to 1 p.m. at the Grayslake Campus in Room C147. Information will include what it takes to start a worm farm, and students, faculty, and staff can enter a raffle for reusable plates, mugs and utensils.
Also on Tuesday at CLC’s Southlake Campus, 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills, information will be shared on green roofs, which are featured at the campus.
On Wednesday, Husemoller will be joined by Shane Jones and other drivers who have switched to electric cars in sharing their experiences with different makes and models from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grayslake Campus, Room T323.
“I don’t worry about gas prices anymore,” Husemoller said, because he drives a Chevrolet Volt that plugs into a regular wall socket in his garage. He charges overnight when rates are lower.
“It’s now all about scaling for what you need,” he said.
Information on all the CLC Earth Day events can be found at www.clcillinois.edu/events/earth-week.
Around Lake County, other scheduled Earth Day events include:
On Saturday, the Waukegan Park District and Waukegan Firefighters Union 473 will celebrate Earth Day with a cleanup at Washington Park, a longtime tradition for the union. The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to noon. Gloves bags and tongs will be provided.
On Monday, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, plans to host an electronics drop-off event at his district office, located at 1919 Route 83 in Round Lake Beach, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“Because computers, televisions and other electronics contain hazardous materials, they can’t legally be hauled off to a landfill with the rest of your trash,” Yingling said. “Earth Day is a yearly reminder of the importance of safe recycling methods, not just for paper and plastic but for electronics as well.”
There is no cost to residents to participate in the recycling event.