How did Earth Day come to be?
Before 1970, there were few regulations protecting the environment. "There was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act." Factories and businesses could dispose waste into rivers without violating the law, for there were no laws against this. Factories could do whatever they pleased with no regard to the safety of the environment. There were many events that jeopardized the environment, including oil leakages, chemical exposures, and the over-hunting of species. Concerns were raised about the destruction of nature and the effect it had on society. The smog and pollution generated from factories caused many health problems for individuals, and pesticides and pollutants decreased biodiversity. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin was troubled with these industrial impacts, and in 1970, he established Earth Day. Earth Day was a catalyst for federal organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information on laws and regulations pertaining to the environment; and topics such as air, water, and pollution.
Gaylord Nelson started a grassroots movement to encourage the sustainability of the environment and the individual's responsibility to protect it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that the movement was in "more than 2,000 colleges and universities, 10,000 public schools, and 20 million citizens participated- nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population at the time."
What is Earth Day?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states that Earth Day is a "day to raise environmental awareness and involve citizens and their communities in creating a cleaner, healthier world." Earth Day encourages individuals to reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to limit waste. There are ways for individuals to contribute to protecting the environment on a daily basis. Some tips are picking up litter, recycling, using renewable energy, picking up pet waste, etc. Every person can contribute to bettering the environment and protecting nature.
For the 2018 year, the Earth Day Network has a goal to end plastic pollution. The organization states, "From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet." The organization encourages volunteers and donations to help with their endeavor. The Earth Day Network has four primary goals for tackling the plastic pollution problem. They want a "global framework to regulate plastic pollution," action from the "government and corporations to control plastic pollution," for individuals to take responsibility, and for local governments to take action.
It is crucial to protect the environment. We only have one Earth and it is our duty to make sure that nature is preserved as we are all in this together.
For more Information:
USA.gov
This website provides various topics concerning Earth and the Environment. Some issues covered are disasters and emergencies; going green; pollution issues; and wildlife and other animals.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Protects human health and the environment. See the Environmental Topics and Laws & Regulations pages.
The Library of Congress
Provides educational materials pertaining to Earth Day.
~by Emily Hancz
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