What's in a name?

'The Update' theme was selected for Earth Day 2010 to represent the need to bring the environmental movement started in 1970 to current times. But the name goes deeper than that (or shallower, depending on your perspective). As was the case with the last three Columbus Earth Day events, the theme this year was inspired by the name of a Beastie Boys’ song.

It all started in 2007 with 'A Year And a Day' (Paul's Boutique, track 15, song 3) when the citizens of central Ohio were challenged to put in 2,000 person-hours, one person year, at 42 area volunteer worksites. This goal was smashed when over 1,300 volunteers donated nearly 3,900 hours.

For 2008, the plan was the same, but the goals set higher. We again wanted the emphasis on the volunteer worksites, but knew 'A Year And a Day' wouldn't cut it. So, we scoured the Beastie Boys’ albums and came up with a new theme - 'Now Get Busy' (To the 5 Burroughs, bonus track). Columbus did get busy, sending out nearly 1,500 volunteers to 50 worksites.

We kept the Beastie theme rolling in 2009 with 'Picture This' (Hello Nasty, track 18). Columbus was challenged to picture what can be accomplished in one day of environmental volunteerism, and whoa what a pretty picture it turned out to be. Over 2,600 volunteers put in over 9,000 person-hours at 72 worksites, making Columbus the largest volunteer turnout for Earth Day anywhere in the U.S.

So, this year it is 'The Update" (Ill Communication, track 9), and we hope to outdo ourselves once again!

But what about years to come? 'Gratitude', 'Stand Together', 'Root Down', 'B-Boys Makin' with the Freak Freak'?  If you have a suggestion, please share it along with your reasoning to contact@update2010.org. Peace.