Hello friends! I know that I said I would write about nuclear energy today, but we will instead take a break from our energy discussions in honor of Earth Day. I’ll share some history as well as the impact of Earth Day; hopefully this will be an interesting read and you won’t hate me too much for diverting from our original plans. Now, with that out of the way, let’s get started!
It all started with a man named Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin, who was concerned about growing environmental issues, especially following a major oil spill in 1969. Concerned by this and inspired by student-led activism, he decided to organize protests on college campuses around the country, and chose the date April 22 for this to occur.
What started with a few people soon expanded to include groups all over the country, promoting events and protests in honor of the Earth. This first Earth Day was so impactful, in fact, that it stands as the largest secular day of protest in the world, according to the Earth Day website.
What makes Earth Day so special is that it aligns people of all different backgrounds and political beliefs. During the first Earth Day, over 20 million Americans took to the streets, Republicans and Democrats alike, all united in concern for the deterioration of the environment.
In addition, all forms of advocates protested, including groups against pesticides, oil spills and everything in between. It was truly a universal effort, connecting all with this one common value.
This first Earth Day was extremely successful, contributing to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of a variety of environmental legislation including the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
By 1990, Eath Day was a global event, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries. In 1995, Senator Nelson received the Presidential Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton in honor of his role in founding Earth Day.
As concerns have shifted from environmental pollution to global warming, Earth Day has shifted with it. New problems prompt new protests, which have become even easier to organize due to the rise of the internet.
On Earth Day 2016, the largest ever piece of environmental legislation was signed: the Paris Agreement, an international treaty signed by 175 nations promising to combat climate change.
Earth Day has grown to include over 1 billion people worldwide, and is only expanding. This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizing collective action in your community.
All around the world, community cleanups, tree plantings and demonstrations are occurring. Many of these will continue after the day is officially over, throughout the week and beyond.
In Cincinnati, there are events happening everywhere, too many for me to name. Some notable ones include a celebration at the Cincinnati Zoo on April 24 with live music, education and free admission after 5 p.m. The Cincinnati Museum Center will also have an event on April 25 with stations, crafts and lectures.
For more events, you can do some light Googling or check out the official Earth Day Website.
I hope that you have an amazing Earth Day no matter what you do, and take some time to celebrate the wonderful Earth we call our own!
Elena