Celebrating Earth’s Day 40th Year

April 22nd, 2010 By: Brittany

Earth Day’s history is rooted in the activist-driven 1960s, when the environment was in visible ruins and people were angry, according to Rogers.

“It wasn’t uncommon in some cities during rush hour to be standing on a street corner and not be able to see across the street” because of pollution, she said.

Despite the anger, green issues were absent from the U.S. political agenda. This frustrated U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, whose campaigns for the environment through much of the 1960s had fallen flat.

In 1969 Nelson hit on the idea of an environmental protest modeled after anti-Vietnam War demonstrations called teach-ins.

Nelson recruited activist Denis Hayes to organize the April 22, 1970, Earth Day teach-in, which today is sometimes credited for launching the modern environmental movement.

By the end of 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had been born, and efforts to improve air and water quality were gaining political traction.

What people are doing to celebrate Earth Day.

Planting Trees.  As the date also roughly coincides with U.S. Arbor Day, over time Earth Day has taken on the role of tree-planting.

Make nature crafts at school or home. Getting together with friends and family and help build bird houses or make a bird feeder to encourage the local bird population, which plays an important role in every ecosystem.

Litter clean up. Many people search local streets, parks, and beaches for litter.

Earth Fairs. Many are heading up and setting up Earth fairs all over in honor of Earth Day.

Preparing a Earth Day meal. One of are readers sent us a reply for her Earth Day contribution. Pamela K., said she is cooking an all oragnic and locally farmed meal for her church group. It is a tradition she said she has carried now for 3 years.

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