Former United States Senator and Environmentalist, Gaylord Nelson, was concerned about the Environmental degradation in the United States after the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. The crisis that took place in the United States waters affected most of the sea creatures, birds and the sea itself. This inspired him to create public awareness about air and water pollution through the student anti-war protests. Senator Nelson produced the idea for a teach-in on universities to the national media, and convinced Pete McCloskey to be his co-chairperson. Later they enlisted Denis Hayes, an environmental advocate, to organize the campus discussions and events. They choose April 22 for the campaigns in order to increase the participation of students, as it was a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams. Hayes formed a national staff of 85 to create events across the land. Their effort soon expanded to include a wide range of faith groups, organizations and others. They named it Earth Day, which immediately grabbed the attention of national media and people across the country.Civil society mobilization have increased with the climate crisis awareness across the globe today. People from around the world are demanding significant and quick action for climate change since they are disappointed with the international environmental lethargy and the lack of ambition in following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 with the support from Republicans and Democrats, business and labor leaders, farmers and urban dwellers, rich and poor. They founded an agency U.S.E.P.A and environmental laws such as the National Environmental Education Act, the O.S.H Act, and the Clean Air Act. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was introduced and passed by the United States Congress. In the year 1973, the Congress introduced and passed the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These laws have been able to protect and save the lives of men, women and children from disease and extinction of species.
Earth Day 1990
In 1990, a group of environmental activists approached Denis Hayes requesting him to organize another major campaign for Earth Day once again. Earth Day 1990 campaign drew the global attention, gathering nearly 200 million people in 141 countries, lifting environmental issues globally. Earth Day 1990 was celebrated worldwide and it paved the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. In September 1995, Senator Nelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in recognition of his environmental work and for his role as the Earth Day founder.
Earth Day 2010 is one of the significant achievement.40th anniversary of the annual Earth Day. This year the environmental community faced a great challenge to combat the cynicism of reticent politicians, well-funded oil lobbyists and disinterested public who denied climate change. Despite these challenges, Earth Day grew stronger and Earth Day Network re-established Earth Day. Since then Earth Day Network has engaged many people from 193 countries every year into their environmental movements in protecting the planet. Celebrations included activities such as the Great Global CleanUp, Citizen Science, Advocacy, Education, and art.
Earth Day 2020
Earth Day 2020 celebrated its 50th Anniversary of on April 22. It was celebrated with global activities such as the Great Global Clean Up, Advocacy, Citizen science, Climate change education and art. Earth Day Network has initiated a set of goals to shape the future of 21st century environmentalism. It is being referred to as the largest online mass mobilization in history.
