Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day
events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Denis Hayes,
who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in
1990 and organized events in 141 nations. In some communities they turn earth
day into earth week and have an entire week of activities focused on
environmental issues and how we can solve some of them.
In 1969 at a UNESCO
Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a
day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on
March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. But
it was later changed to April 22, 1970. Nelson chose the date in order to
maximize participation on college campuses for what he conceived as an
"environmental teach-in". He determined the week of April 19–25 was
the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks. Moreover, it did
not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover, and was late
enough in spring to have decent weather. More students were likely to be in
class, and there would be less competition with other mid-week events—so he
chose Wednesday, April 22. The day also fell after the anniversary of the birth
of noted conservationist John Muir. On the very first Earth Day, 20
million people gathered in the streets of America to protest the industrial
revolution. An environmental movement was born as a result.
- 1. On Earth Day 2012, more than 100,000 people road bikes in China to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel.
3 Earth Day Network is the global coordinator for Earth Day.
4. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in the United States. In recognition of his hard work, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award.
5. Denis Hayes took Earth Day international in 1990. Today he says that it is the largest secular holiday in the world, one that is celebrated by more than one billion people worldwide.
What are some things you can do for earth?
·
Reduce, Reuse Recycle
·
Lighten Your Energy Bill –use less energy
·
Walk, Hike, Ride a Bike –lower your need for a car, find cleaner form of transportation
·
Think Green when You Clean –Cleaning products are harmful for the ecosystem
·
Slow the Flow –save
water