I Watched The 1990 Earth Day TV Special For The First Time In Eighth Grade Science Class.

Apr 22

Do you remember the feeling you got in school when the teacher would wheel out the TV & put on a video like Bill Nye or Reading Rainbow?

Some kids took it as an opportunity to catch up on sleep. While other kids found themselves captivated like they were catching a Saturday matinee of the latest blockbuster film. I was a mix between the both. But on Monday, April 22, 2013, there was no question which category I’d fall in.

I sat up straight in the chair of my fourth period eighth grade science class for approximately an hour and 35 minutes, eyes glued to the TV.

Lights low, with a paper full of summary questions to follow along with. I frequently forgot to write down the answers as they came to me, because I was so enamoured with the production unfolding.

Over the years my teachers exposed me to many different concepts through motion media, but today I wanna focus on the impact of the 1990 Earth Day TV Special.

First observed on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson to force the issue of not having any legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. (United States Environmental Protection Agency)

Nelson was able to get an estimated 20 million people nationwide to attend the inaugural event. Tens of thousands of sites including elementary and secondary schools, universities, and community sites across the United States, came together to show the Earth some love and raise awareness about the environment with the same passion people had in opposition for the Vietnam War. By July of that same year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in response to the growing public demand for cleaner water, air, and land—its mission to protect the environment and public health. By the twentieth anniversary of the first event in 1990, more than 200 million people in 141 countries had participated in Earth Day celebrations, and every year the celebrations continue to grow. (Library of Congress)

According to the Internet Archive, “The Earth Day Special is a television special revolving around Earth Day that aired on ABC on April 22, 1990. Sponsored by Time Warner, the two hour special featured an all-star cast addressing concerns about global warming, deforestation, and other environmental ills.” (Internet Archive)

23 years after it first aired my teacher popped a copy into our class DVD player to teach us about the importance of saving our planet, and how we can do it by changing our everyday habits. Before watching this special, as a pre-teen I felt as if humans were excluded from nature, because my interactions with the natural world had all been curated for man.

Never had I seen the Earth personified in a way that showed nature and illness from a human perspective, as opposed to an attraction locked behind a gate. From this special I learned that keeping our planet alive is about looking within and considering all that inhabit this planet. It is also a community effort that requires all to examine each other and come together to right our wrongs.

What also really stood out to me about this special, was the song Workin’ Together performed by Quincy Jones, Will Smith, Tone Loc, Queen Latifah, Ice-T, Kid N Play & Heavy D. Seeing these Black artist come together and talk about the earth in a language I could understand truly resonated with me.

Since then, I have made it a tradition to watch the special each year to remind myself that it is not all about me and my conveniences. Especially if I can only have at the expense of the world. (Spoiler alert, it is not worth it.)

To kick off Soular Lab’s inaugural #Earthweek and celebrate Earth Day 2024, I want to encourage you to give a look at The Earth Day TV Special.

Earth Day TV Special 1990

Before you go I also want to share 10 everyday habits that we can implement to keep our planet alive.

Instead of getting plastic bags and water bottles every time you grocery shop, opt for a reuable tote & water bottle.
Instead of driving everywhere explore walking, biking, public transportation or car pooling to your destination.
SN: Public Transportation Should be FREE & ACCESSIBLE to all in this country!
It’s as easy as supporting your local thrift and antique shops by donating & shopping.
SN: avoid buying and donating cheap fast fashion that could ultimately still end up in landfills. Be smart about your consumption and how it is circulated.
Give new life to old items by turning them into new art and household pieces.
Explore upcycling project ideas HERE
Don’t be lazy, do the research.
When you buy something like light bulbs or receive a prescription, ask and/or learn about how to properly dispose of these products.
Some companies even have recycling programs.
If the sun is out, pull back the curtains and let the window provide you with the best light there is.
Shop local and organic when you can, and reuse the baggies and containers that your food comes in. It is not only environmentally friendly but also economically conscious.
Y’all know me, I am all about print. But printing too many books that go unused can contribute to deforestation & be harmful to the environment.
Learn through this 10-step guide on how to print sustainably HERE
SN: All of my books and products are made with the Print-On-Demand model.
Choose natural & organic beauty and hygiene products, chemical-free lawn and garden care, as well as natural household cleaners and organic food.
(Beware of greenwashing)
The easiest and most sustainable way to spread awareness is to talk about it!
Dr. Erica Nielson, a postdoctoral researcher within the Baylab at University of California, Davis, came up with a few conversation starters that you can explore HERE