Why Is Earth Day A Thing?

Because there was no EPA , no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. In spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson

What is the purpose of Earth Day?

So, what’s the purpose of Earth Day and why is it important? Earth Day is meant to be spent celebrating the planet’s clean natural resources . In recent years, the day has been used to raise awareness about global climate change.

When and why was Earth Day created?

We only have one earth, so we need to take care of her. That’s what Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin believed. He was disturbed that an issue as important as our environment was not addressed in politics or by the media, so he created the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970 .

Why did Earth Day become a thing?

The brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson and inspired by the protests of the 1960s, Earth Day began as a “national teach-in on the environment ” and was held on April 22 to maximize the number of students that could be reached on university campuses.

Who is responsible for starting Earth Day?

In spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities, and it worked!

Did you know Earth Day facts?

• Senator Gaylord Nelson conceived Earth Day in the early 1960s. ...
• The first Earth Day was in 1970. ...
• The government responded to Earth Day with environmental legislation. ...
• Earth Day went global in 1990. ...
• About one billion people recognize Earth Day each year. ...
• Earth Day always falls on April 22.

What happened on the first day of Earth?

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970.

Image courtesy of Cleveland Press Collection at Cleveland State University Library. On June 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River on the southern shores of Lake Erie caught on fire as chemicals, oil, and other industrial materials that had oozed into the river somehow ignited .

Who made earth?

Formation. When the solar system settled into its current layout about 4.5 billion years ago, Earth formed when gravity pulled swirling gas and dust in to become the third planet from the Sun. Like its fellow terrestrial planets, Earth has a central core, a rocky mantle, and a solid crust.

What happens on Earth Day?

That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation . By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we’re making our world a happier, healthier place to live.

What was Earth Day originally called?

Ten years later, in 1882, Nebraska declared Arbor Day as a legal holiday and the date was changed to Morton’s birthday, April 22. Arbor Day grew to become a national observance. It seemed natural to schedule April 22, 1970 – Arbor Day – as the first Earth Day.

How do we celebrate Earth Day?

1. Be car-free. Walk or bike to school — not only is it good for the body, it’s good for the environment too!
2. Make a bird feeder or house. Use a milk carton, a large water or soda bottle, or a pine cone.
3. Create recycling bins. ...
4. Make positive promises. ...
5. Grow something. ...
6. Spread the love. ...
7. Plus:

How many trees does the organization in charge of Earth Day hope to plant with the public’s help in the next five years?

January 19, 2016

EDN is announcing Trees for the Earth (#Trees4Earth), a plan to plant 7.8 billion trees by Earth Day’s 50 ^th in 2020.

What Earth Day means to me?

“Earth day is a day for all of us to remember the environment in our busy lives . A day that reminds us to continue to do the little things that help our environment. Things like turning off the lights, the conservation of energy, plant trees, recycle, reduce, and reuse.”

How old is the earth?

Earth is estimated to be 4.54 billion years old , plus or minus about 50 million years. Scientists have scoured the Earth searching for the oldest rocks to radiometrically date. In northwestern Canada, they discovered rocks about 4.03 billion years old.

How can we save our earth?

1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. ...
2. Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. ...
3. Educate. ...
4. Conserve water. ...
5. Choose sustainable. ...
6. Shop wisely. ...
7. Use long-lasting light bulbs. ...
8. Plant a tree.

What are some fun facts about Earth Day?

• Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970.
• 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day.
• More than 100 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered in the United States each year.