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John McConnell, founder of EARTH DAY, was honored on March 20th, 2007 in Laguna Beach, California on EARTH DAY. The city of Laguna Beach adopted the Earth Charter and issued its Proclamation to become an "Earth Trustee City."
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| "The world of tomorrow is not foreordained to be either good or bad...rather it will be what we make it." - John McConnell |
EARTHKEEPER HERO:
JOHN MCCONNELL
by Joanne Tawfilis
John McConnell, a very humble 91 year young incredible human being, will celebrate his 92nd birthday in Laguna Beach this year. He continues his fight for environmental education and awareness.
Mr. McConnell originated and developed the Earth Charter along with famous anthropologist, Margaret Meade, long before so much attention has been focused on preserving Mother Earth. He made a valiant effort during the Iran Hostage situation to try to get then President Jimmy Carter to adopt the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring) designated as Earth Day because it is also the Persian New Year or norooz, believing that this gesture would help facilitate the return of the hostages.
President Carter did not respond to Mr. McConnell's appeal and later political powers somehow managed to get April 22nd proclaimed as World Environment Day, which MOST people confuse as Earth Day. The REAL Earth Day, as proclaimed and adopted by the UN is the exact moment when spring begins or what is known as the vernal equinox.  Mr. McConnell also founded one Moment For Peace, which occurs each year on December 22nd, as well as the Earth Society Foundation, which is located in New York and organizes the annual ringing of the Peace Bell and other bells throughout the world on Earth Day. The only other time the UN Peace Bell is rung is on September 21st--International Day of Peace.
Mr. McConnell represents the kind of global citizen and kindred spirit that actively lives his beliefs, has given of himself and his family in a most unselfish, humble, and caring manner, to do something about keeping Mother Earth healthy and safe. He has made a difference in my life to the extent that the Art Miles Mural Project created a special "MY HERO" mural, depicted on this site to honor him. His spirit and continuous advocacy inspire us to work in support of the great principles he established in the Earth Charter, as well as by his own living example.
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Written by
Joanne Tawfilis
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International Earth Day Website celebrates the Founder of Earth Day, John McConnell Earth Trustee John McConnell has devoted his life to "peace, justice and the care of Earth," a global vision, fueled by missionary zeal, that stems from his youth. Earth Society Foundation The Earth Society Foundation was established by John McConnell and Margaret Mead to foster worldwide participation in the peaceful care of Earth, and to promote the annual celebration of Earth Day on the Equinox (March 20-21) MY HERO Tribute to the Art Miles Project |
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John McConnell's Earth Flag in orbit on Russia's Mir Space Station, with Russian cosmonauts Talgat Musabaev and Nikolai Budarin, 1998 |
RECOMMENDED
READING | |
 Star of Hope: The Life and Times of John McConnell Founder of Earth Day by Robert M. Weir |
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| Dr. Richard Murphy Marine Biologist educates others about the sea and ways to protect the oceans for the future. | Dr. Robert Ballard and the JASON project bring scientific exploration to children around the world. | Dr. Shirley McGreal founded the International Primate Protection League. | Dr. Vandana Shiva works to preserve biodiversity for the planet. |
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| Envirofit retrofits engines to reduce pollution and enhance energy efficiency in developing countries. | Fin Donnelly works to keep our rivers and waters clean. | Frances Moore Lappe works to eliminate the injustices that cause hunger. | Friends of Nature: Mr. Liang Congjie is a voice for China's environment. |
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| Friends of the Sea Lion rescue, treat, and release these mammals back into the ocean. | George Schaller is a world-renowned naturalist. | Gerald Durrell established the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust for endangered species. | Greenpeace works globally to save the environment. |
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| Hayrettin Karaca is known as Grandfather Earth for making our planet brighter, greener and better for future generations. | Heather DeWitt is a devoted conservationist. | J.N. (Ding) Darling , conservationist and cartoonist, used his art to raise awareness about the environment. | Jack Johnson is a musician who encourages kids to take care of the environment. |
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| Jack Sim has started a worldwide campaign for clean public toilets and better sanitation standards. | Jacques Cousteau invented the Aqua-Lung, a predecessor to the SCUBA systems used by divers worldwide today. | Jane Goodall is an authority on wild chimpanzees. | Jane Goodall …is a renowned expert on chimpanzees and works to educate people about their own power to improve the environment. |
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| Jean-Michel Cousteau is committed to protecting the ocean for future generations through education and conservation. | Jody Williams is a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner who began a campaign to rid the world of landmines. | John McConnell founded Earth Day (March 20) and continues his fight for environmental education and awareness. | John Muir advocated preservation, feeling that natural areas promote mental health. |
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| Joseph Ki-Zerbo works to help Africans retain control of their country's agriculture. | Julia Hill brought public attention to deforestation in California. | Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park is the only park in the Americas established and run by indigenous peoples. | Kory Johnson was honored with the Goldman Environmental Prize in 1998. |
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| Laurie David is passionately committed to stopping global warming. | Lee Myung-Bak is responsible for making Seoul, South Korea 'cleaner and greener' during his tenure as mayor. | Marjory Stoneman Douglas worked tirelessly to preserve the Everglades. | Mia Siscawati teaches people to protect their environment. |
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| Sandra Postel believes in the importance of water conservation. | Severn Cullis-Suzuki an environmental activist, speaker, television host. | Stanislav Petrov averted nuclear disaster, yet remains unknown to most. | SUJANA cleans roads in Indonesia to help the environment. |
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| Suryo Wardhoyo Prawiroatmodjo educates people in Indonesia to protect the environment. | Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and ambassador of the oceans. | Terram Foundation brings job growth, community involvement, and local solutions to larger environmental concerns. | Theodore Roosevelt worked tirelessly to protect wildlife and the environment. |
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| Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement that plants trees to help restore the desolate ecosystem in Africa. | Wes Jackson was a professor who returned to the land to advance sustainable agriculture practices. | William McDonough designs buildings for ecological sustainability. | YouthCaN is a youth- run organization promoting environmental awareness through technology. |
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| Zander Srodes and Turtle Talks has educated over 5,000 students on sea turtles and marine conservation. |
Last changed on:4/5/2007 3:59:57 PM
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