Founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D) of Wisconsin, approximately 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day, marking the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Senator Nelson conceived the idea for Earth Day after viewing a horrible oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in late 1969. He credits the success of the first Earth Day activities to a powerful grassroots effort that swept through the country. The main goal of the movement was to provide a healthy, clean environment for future generations.
Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of environmental resources. Some of these protest were against oil spills, factory and power plant pollution, raw sewage, toxic dumps, dangerous pesticides and the extinction of wildlife.
Earth Day is now observed in over 175 countries and is coordinated by the nonprofit group, Earth Day Network. According to the Earth Day Network, more than a half billion people participate in some form of Earth Day activity every year.
Today, many cities extend the Earth Day celebration into an entire week of events, usually starting on April 16 and ending on Earth Day, April 22. All of the events are designed to highlight environmentally aware behaviors, such as recycling, reducing and reusing – the main mantra for most recycling efforts.
Earth Day 1970 achieved rare political ramifications by enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, but it also united rich and poor, city dwellers and farmers, and big business and labor leaders. The first Earth Day also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.
As we approach the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the world is in greater danger than ever, but there is still opportunity to build a new future. Earth Day has the power to bring about historic advances in climate policy, renewable energy and green jobs. An offshoot of Earth Day 40 is “A Billion Acts of Green™” - an act for people to create change by taking small steps in their own homes, schools and businesses. These small steps add up to an enormous change in the environment.
Earth Day 40 is a great time for people corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. If you can't join a local group, just think about making small changes in your own life. Plant trees and shrubs in your yard to help decrease air pollution, buy “green” products or products in “green” packages to help decrease waste, and recycle as much as possible. It is up to our generation to help save the Earth for future generations.
This Earth Day our family is starting a new tradition – planting a tree for a family member. Our first tree – an Oak – will be planted in honor of our impending first grandchild. Although my granddaughter isn't due until June, our “Devon Oak” will soon be gracing the yard.
