Earth day began on April 22, 1970 which began as a way to give a voice and speak out on the state of our planet. With the publication of the book Silent Springs by Rachel Carson in 1962, public knowledge increased on the importance of the environment as well as raising concerns about the linkage of pollution and health problems.

With this growing public concern, Senator Gaylord Nelson was inspired to turn the brewing concern into a movement that could make a change, he recruited the help of Denis Hayes in order to pursue this goal. With this Nelson proposed teach-ins on colleges campuses across the nation on the day of April 22. With the change of the day to Earth day and continually promoting the event, 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest against the current state of the Earth that resulted from industrial development of the nation. Earth day was able to unite groups that had once individually fought against different severe environmental issues. The first Earth Day gave way to the Environmental Protection Agency as well as helping in passing environmental laws.

Following the United States focused Earth Day which began in the 1970, a global Earth Day began to be organized in the 1990. This event was organised by Hayes which would lead to 200 million people to join together to bring attention to environmental concerns varying nations had. Since then Earth Day has only continued to garner further support and importance, as it is recognized as a day for change in the behavior of humans and the creation of policies and laws to aid in the pursuit of a better, safer, and cleaner environment.

Earth Day has led to the creation and continuation of many environmental policy and law changes. The Environmental Protection Agency was created as a result of Earth Day. It has also led to the key environment laws being created like The Clean Air Act. As a result of the unification for environmental concerns being brought to the attention of policy makers and world leaders a difference is seen as a result of Earth Day. Earth Day is able to educate people, bring concerns to light, create protests, and encourage positive action to help in conservation.

Volunteer

Many universities, communities, and organizations offer volunteer opportunities on Earth Day to help with conservation. Joining one could both expand your knowledge and get your hands a bit dirty!

Learn

Learning about the problems that are currently being faced like habitat depletion, climate change and deforestation to name a few. Are a great way to gain information on what is happening. After all you need to know what is going on in order to help stop it.

Participate in Environmental Conscious Actions

Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, and Recycle are great things to keep in mind on Earth Day and any other day! Refusing plastic silverware, turning off your lights when you leave a room, recycling plastic water bottles, and using cloth bags are all options to aid in conservation.