Did you know that Earth Day was first officially observed throughout the United States in 1970? Thanks to Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, more than 20 million Americans organized massive rallies and demonstrations for a healthier, sustainable environment, protesting against massive oil spills, industrial pollution, and the loss of wilderness areas in what would become an annual tradition across the world. So where are we on Earth Day 2008 38 years later?
It seems safe to say that awareness of environmental issues has become much more widespread today things like recycling and conserving energy are second nature to us now in a way that would have been quite novel just a few years ago. And over the years, POV has showcased a number of docs including The Chances of the World Changing (POV 2007), Maquilapolis: City of Factories (POV 2006), and In the Light of Reverence (POV 2001), featuring different angles on environmental issues, from conservation to land use to consumption in addition to our Borders | Environment site, which looks at the way we interact with the earth, air, and water around us.
This year, POV’s Why Vote? site is dedicated to exploring the issues that matter most to citizens during this election year. What issues are you most passionate about? Is it the environment? The need for better monitoring of polling centers on election day? Campaign issues? Or maybe immigration and border issues? We’d love to hear from you so grab a video camera and start shooting, and we may feature your video on the Why Vote? site. And if you submit a proposal through the WGBH Lab Open Call, your idea for a short film may even be eligible for some cash for development and the opportunity to have the finished video aired along with a POV broadcast this summer.
What are you waiting for? Tell us what candidates have to do to get your vote and send it in.