History of Earth Day
Earth Day is Apr. 22! This year will mark the 53rd recognized Earth Day in America, and 32rd globally. As we all know, however, Earth Day is every day, whether recognized or not.
The creation of Earth Day was sparked by several events leading up to the 70’s that spread concern for the environment on a wider scale than ever before. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, a novel discussing the dangers of pesticides on health and nature, was released in 1962 and had notable effects on demonstrating environmental degradation to Americans. In 1969, a large oil spill in California caught the attention of the public as well as many politicians in power. Colleges across the nation began to discuss conservation and environmental activism at this time as well.
Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, motivated by these events, pushed for environmental education in schools and universities. Eventually, he and other colleagues moved to establish an organization meant to inspire people of all backgrounds to care for the health of the planet. The group came to be named “Earth Day,” which garnered national attention. After some time, a nationwide protest for government law and action was put together by the Earth Day members. Apr. 22, 1970 was chosen for the event as it fell on a weekday between spring break and final exams.
A striking 10% of Americans participated in the protest and the day was supported across political parties, classes, and businesses. Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and countless acts, such as the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Education Act. This protest also established Apr. 22 as Earth Day annually from then on. The immediate success of the group propelled knowledge and action concerning environmental health.
In 1990, Earth Day went global; the successes in America convinced other countries to join in the annual celebration. Denis Hayes, an activist involved in the creation of Earth Day, organized the groups spread to 141 countries, launching conservation efforts worldwide. This paved the way for the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and sparked environmental conversations across the globe.
When the new millennium began, the Earth Day group organized “Earth Day 2000” and encouraged 184 countries and 5,000 environmental organizations to be involved. This broke records for the celebration and continued to spread awareness of environmental degradation.
Only 10 years later, Earth Day began to change from a globally supported event to a day of controversy. Knowledge of global warming was becoming more widespread, and awareness of the issue was supported by the group. Climate change doubts and deniers, supported by big oil lobbyists and conspiracies, influenced politics, divided the environmental community, and affected Earth Day support. These doubts of global warming and the downplayed importance of environmental health has affected inaction and lower support for Earth Day to this day.
Although environmental conservation is now controversial to many, Earth Day and environmental activism still garner support from many activists and ordinary people every year. Hopefully one day it will be celebrated equally among all people and accepted by all communities again. Earth Day is not just a holiday to express our love for nature—it is an organization of people willing to protect the health of our planet. Remember, every day is Earth Day!
Thumbnail Photo via Pexels